Shawdesh Desk:

At least three people, including an accused in a gang-rape case, were killed in ‘gunfights’ in Mymensingh and Habiganj early Monday.

In Mymensingh, an alleged drug peddler and an accused in a gang-rape case were killed in ‘gunfights’ in Sadar and Fulbaria upazilas.

The deceased were identified as Jony Mia, 26 and Jahirul Islam, 20.

Shah Kamal Akanda, officer-in-charge of sadar police station, said that on secret information that a group of drug peddlers were gathering in the area police conducted a drive in Charpuliamari area of sadar upazila at about 12:00am.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the drug peddlers opened fire on them, forcing them to fire back in self-defence.

Police later rescued injured Jony and took him to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Jony was accused in 11 cases and three of them were over drugs, the OC added.

On secret information, police launched a drive to arrest an accused in a gang-rape case at Kaladaha in Fulbaria upazila at about 2:30am.

Sensing presence of the police in Eidgah ground area, the accused along with three others first threw bricks and stones and later started firing on them indiscriminately, prompting the law enforcers to fire back in self-defence, triggering a gunfight.

Police rescued Jahirul’s with bullet-injuries from the spot and took him to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Jahirul and two others were accused in a case over gang raping a 16-year-old girl on August 3 at village Palashtoli of Fulbaria upazila.

In Habiganj, Soleman, an alleged robber, was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Dewatali Kalinagar area of Chunarughat upazila

Md Nazmul Haque, officer-in-charge of Chunarughat police station, said on information that a gang of robbers were taking preparation to commit robbery, a team of police conducted a drive at Kalinagar at about 3:00am.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the robbers open fired forcing them to fire back in self-defence that triggered the gunfight, leaving Soleman injured, the OC said.

Soleman died on the way to hospital while four injured policemen were admitted to Chunarughat Upazila Health Complex for treatment.