Extremist leader dies in gunbattle with police

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RAJSHAHI, Aug 27 (BSS): A front-ranking leader of the outlawed Purba Bangler Communist Party (ML Lal Potaka) was killed in a gunbattle between his accomplices and the police in Goalkandi area under Bagmara Upazila of the district in the early hours of Wednesday.

According to the police sources, the terrorist identified as Sirajul Islam alias Siraj (30), son of Isahaque Ali of the Namkan village under the same upazila, was a wanted accused in five criminal cases, including murder and extortion.

After reaching the area the police team found a gang of 10/12 miscreants holding a meeting for committing subversive activities.

Subsequently, the police team cordoned them that led to a fierce gunbattle between the two sides at around 4.00 am, which continued for around 10 minutes. Three personnel including a police sub-inspector were also injured in the fight.

Shortly after the incident, the team in cooperation with the adjacent villagers recovered Siraj with bullet wounds and rushed him to Bagmara Upazila Health Complex where the attending doctors declared him dead.

They also seized a shutter-gun, five bullets and some cartridges and two indigenous weapons from the spot.