Three members of the infamous 'Lalchad Bahini' (gang) were killed in separate incidents of shootout between the criminals and the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Daulatpur upazila of the district in the last two days. Huzzah! I thought we'd seen the last 'crossfire' | The dead were identified as Mahbubul Haq, 25, Rezaul Karim Ilu, 32 and Saidul Islam, 42 of Philipnagar of the upazila. The first two were the nephews of the leader of the gang, Lalchad. Uncle Lalchad bringing them into the family business | Acting on a tip off, a team of Rab-5 of Rajshahi raided the Philipnagar bazar and surrounded the Philipnagar High School area, some 45 kilometres off the district headquarters, at about 5:30pm on Monday, where some members of the gang were holding a meeting, said a Rab statement.
Philipnagar High, home of the Fighting Dacoits |
When the Rab asked the gangsters to surrender, "All right, youse mugs. Come out with your hands up!" | they opened fire on the law enforcers sparking off a half-an hour long gunfight. "You'll never take us alive, coppers!"
"Ok " | The Rab found the body of Mahbub on the spot after the criminals fled the scene. "Hey, looky here what I found!" | A foreign revolver and three bullets were also recovered. Shutter gun must have been retired to the RAB Hall of Fame | The body was handed over to Daulatpur police. Mahbub was accused in five murder cases, police said.
On information that the criminals of the same gang are holding another meeting, a team of Rab-12 of Kushtia unit raided the same village at about 4:30am yesterday and encircled an open field of Abederghat near the bank of Padma. 4:30am, dark lonely open field, now that's the Rab we know and love | Ignoring the Rab's call to surrender, "Give it up or you'll get what Mahbub got!"
"Never! Eat lead, lawdogs!" | the gangsters opened fire on the Rab team triggering a one and a half hours long fierce gunfight. "Bangbangkapowpoppopbangkaboom!" |
The bodies of Rezaul and Saidul were discovered at the spot after the gunfight ended....and the other criminals fled the scene, leaving not a trace | Both were accused in several cases including murder, police said. wanted men on twelve systems | Rab recovered one light gun, one pistol and 44 bullets from the scene.
Locals and relatives of the dead, however, differed with Rab's account of the incidents. "They's lying! Dem wuz good boyz." | Rezaul and Saidul were arrested hours before the 'crossfire' Arrested, questioned, confessed, road tripped, arms cache hunting, ambushed, crossfired, "He's dead, Jim", etc.... | and no other criminals were seen fleeing after the 'gunfight,' they claimed. Linked with a local lawmaker of ruling BNP, Crazy Uncle Lalchad is accused in at least 20 murder cases. |