[Bangla Daily Star] An alleged robber and an operative of outlawed Gono Bahini were killed in separate 'shootouts' with law enforcers in the capital and Kushtia yesterday.The robber Monir Hossain was killed in an encounter with the members of Rapid Action Battalion in city's Jatrabari area at about 2:15am, said Rab officials.
Police said Monir was wanted in at least 20 criminal cases in Demra, Jatrabari and Siddhirganj police stations.
According to Rab official, a team of Rab-10 conducted the drive when Monir along with his accomplices was gathering beside local Uddipan School at Sutikhalpar for committing a robbery.
"Sensing presence of the Rab, the robbers opened fire on Rab members prompting them to fire back that triggered a gun-battle. At one stage of gunfight the robbers fled the scene leaving the bullet-hit body of Monir," Rab official said.
Talking to The Daily Star, Banu Begum, wife of Monir, said that Rab officials picked up her husband on Sunday midnight after he came back from Dubai.
In another incident, Monzurul Islam Monju, 32, a regional leader of outlawed Gono Bahini was killed in a 'shootout' between his cohorts and police at Pyiarpur village in Kushtia sadar upazila.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of Detective Branch of Kushtia and Islamic University police raided GK (Ganges-Kabadak) canal at the village where Monju and his men were holding a secret meeting at about 4:15am, police said.
Sensing their presence, the gang hurled a cocktail towards them and also fired gunshots, prompting them to retaliate. Monju was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot, police said.