Bangladesh News

Three underground operatives were killed during “shootouts” with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Jhenidah and Pabna, while another died at a hospital in Sirajganj eight hours into his arrest by the law enforcers early yesterday.

Those who died in encounters are Sabur alias Shahabuddin, 40, regional leader of Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-Janajuddha), and his accomplice Titumir alias Raju, 30, in Jhenidah; and Nazrul Islam alias Tufan, 35, of the underground outfit, in Pabna.

Our Jhenidah correspondent reported that acting on a tip-off, a team of Rab-6 arrested Sabur and Titumir at a house at Naran Kandi village under Alamdanga upazila of Chuadanga district on Thursday.

On their confessional statements, the Rab team took them to Chatkabaria village under Harinakunda upazila of Jhenidah to recover hidden firearms and their accomplices at around 12:30am.

Sensing the presence of the Rab men, the cohorts of PBCP leader Sabur opened fire on the law enforcers, prompting them to retaliate.

Rab sources said Sabur and Titumir received bullet injuries during the “shootout” and died instantly. The members of the elite force caught one of the gang named Idris, while others managed to flee. Idris was taken into Rab custody for quizzing.

Police said Sabur was wanted in eight cases including three for murder.

In Pabna, PBCP leader Nazrul Islam was killed in an encounter with Rab in Ataikula upazila at about 3:00am, according to our correspondent.

A team of Rab-12, Pabna, raided Shibpur village of the upazila on information that some cadres of PBCP Janajuddha faction were holding a meeting at the village

Sensing the presence of the elite force, the outlawed party men opened fire, forcing the Rab to return fire.

Rab sources said Tufan was shot during the “shootout” and died on the spot, while others fled the scene.

Tufan was an accused in 14 cases including six for murder, the sources said. A sub-machine gun and 40 bullets were recovered from the spot.

Our Sirajganj correspondent adds: PBCP regional leader Razzak Mondol, 42, of Shuborno Shara village in Belkuchi upazila died at Sirajganj General Hospital early yesterday.

Rab-12 personnel arrested Razzak, an accused in two murder cases, at his house at 7:00pm on Thursday and took him to their camp for interrogation.

After quizzing, Razzak was handed over to Belkuchi police at 11:00pm, Rab sources said.

As the outlawed party leader fell sick at the police station, he was rushed to the hospital where he died at around 3.00am yesterday.

Police filed a case.