A pirate gang leader was killed in a ‘gunfight’ between his cohorts and police at Uttar Rajapur village near the Sundarbans in Sharankhola upazila early Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Namir Talukder, 38, chief of Namir Bahini and son of Suntal Talukder, a resident of Arjunbahar village in Sadar upazila.
Kazi Abdus Salek, officer-in-charge of Sharankhola Police Station, said tipped off, a team of Detective Branch (DB) police and Sharankhola thana police jointly conducted a drive at Arjunbahar village on Saturday night and arrested Namir.
According to Namir’s statement, police along with Namir went to Bhola River at Uttar Rajapur village near the Sundarbans at the dead of night to recover arms, he said.
Sensing the presence of police, associates of Namir opened fire on them, prompting the law enforcers to fire back, triggering a gunfight.
Namir was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot while his associates managed to flee.
Three policemen, including the OC, were also injured during the gunfight.
Police recovered the body and sent it to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Police also recovered a rifle and four rounds of bullet from the spot.
Namir and his gang had been involved in extortion and kidnapping of fishermen for ransom in the Sundarbans for long, the OC added.
Namir was wanted in 10 cases, including of robbery and murder, he said.
