5 pirates killed,arms recovered

BAGERHAT, July 7 (UNB): Five pirates, including three ringleaders, were killed and a number of arms and bullets recovered during the shootout with RAB in Sundarbans in last two weeks. Sources said Nasir Sheikh, 35, gang leader of Nasir Bahini, was killed in a gunfight with RAB near Narayankhali Beel in Batiaghata upazila of Khulna on July 5. A two-hour gun fight between RAB-8 of Barisal and forest bandits left two gang leaders--Julfikar alias Julfu, 38, Meghna Zakir, 35, and their two accomplices --Hafiz and Halim-killed in Supati area of Sharankhola thana here on June 22. Five RAB members were more or less hurt in the battle. An unspecified number of firearms and bullets were also recovered during those battles. Lt Col Monirul Haque, commander of RAB-8 Barisal, told UNB that the elite force launched the drives against the criminals in Sundarbans.