13 \\\'robbers\\\' killed in gun battles

Thirteen suspected robbers were killed and an unspecified number of people, including cops, injured in two separate gun battles between police and a gang of robbers in the Sundarbans in Paikgachha and Koyra Upazilas in Khulna district on Sunday. Police identified two of the dead as ‘Karimul’, 40, and ‘Hobi’, 42, of Dumuria Upazila. Police claimed they were members of ‘Kashem Bahini,’ – a robbers’ gang. The rest of the deceased could not be identified. Sources said that a gang of robbers attacked the home of Jhhilbuniya College teacher Proshanta Kumar Dhali around 5:00am. Being informed, police rushed to the spot and cordoned the house at Jhhilbuniya village in Deluti union under Paikgachha Upazila. Sensing the presence of police, the robbers opened fire aiming the law enforcers, who retaliated, triggering a brief gun battle. Karimul and Hobi were killed in the line of fire. Some local people and cops were also injured. Suspecting that more robbers were hiding in the mangrove forest, police conducted another drive at Hardakaliboghi in between Paikgachha and Koira Upazilas around 1:30pm on Sunday and arrested 11 robbers. Acting on their information, police conducted raids deep into the forest and faced stiff resistance from the members of ‘Kashem Bahini’. As the detained 11 bandits tried to escape, they were caught in the line of fire and instantly killed by bullets. Police recovered a large number of firearms and ammo. The police were on their way to Khulna Medical College Hospital along with the dead bodies. The injured received treatment at different clinics in the two Upazilas, according to private TV channels.