Drug peddler killed in Chattogram ‘gunfight’

Drug peddler killed in Chattogram ‘gunfight’

Chattogram, Oct 12 (Just News): A suspected drug peddler has been killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Chattogram city.

The deceased was identified as Ashim Roy Babu, 29, son of Gurusdoy Roy of Banshkhali upazila of the district.

On information, a team of Rab -7 conducted a drive at Muradpur in the city's Panchlaish area to arrest some drug peddlers around 11:45pm yesterday, said Mimtanur Rahman, assistant director (media) of Rab-7.

During the drive, the elite force members signalled a private car to halt but passengers of the car opened fire on them, forcing them to retaliate in self-defence.

At one stage, Ashim Babu was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot while the two other passengers of the car fled from the scene leaving behind Ashim's body.

Four Rab personnel -- Squadron Leader Shafayet Jamil Fahim, commander of Feni unit Rab; Major Hasan; Lance Corporal Shahid; and Sainik Arif -- also sustained bullet injuries during the gunfight, the Rab official said.

The injured Rab officials were admitted to Chattogram Combined Military Hospital.

Two foreign-made pistols, three magazines and 12,000 pieces of yaba pills were recovered from the spot.