A local leader of Jamaat-e-Islami was killed in a ‘shootout’ with police at Bhadrakhali in Kaliganj upazila early Wednesday.The deceased was identified as Ashraful Islam, general secretary of Kushulia union unit of Jamaat and son of Adam Ali of Thekra village in the upazila.
Being tipped off that a group of Jamaat men was holding a clandestine meeting in the area, a police team launched a drive in the area at about 3:00am, said Golam Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kaliganj Police Station.
Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the Jamaat activists hurled 5-6 crude bombs on them prompting the police personnel to retaliate with firing that triggered a gunfight leaving Ashraful injured with bullets.
Severely injured, Ashraful was rushed to Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex where on-duty doctors declared him dead.
Five policemen-Mohsin, Kamal, Shahidul, Zabbar and Ahad-were also injured in the gun battle.
However, Satkhira district Jamaat general secretary Azizur Rahman alleged that a team of police picked up Ashraful from his house at about 12:00am and shot him to death.
