Accused dies in Noakhali 'gunfight'

NOAKHALI, Mar 03 (UNB): One of the accused in Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader Rakib Hossain murder case was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Amanullahpur village in Begumganj upazila early Tuesday.
The dead is Nazrul Islam alias Kana Nazrul (26), son of Abdul Hakim of Abhirampur village. He was the second-in-command of Islami Chhatra Shibir's Pias Bahini, police said.
Harun-ur-Rashid Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Begumganj thana, said police and Detective Branch (DB) jointly led a drive around 3:45 am in Jonokollyan High School field. Members of Pias Bahini opened fire on them, triggering a gunfight.
Nazrul sustained gunshot wounds during the skirmish and was arrested from the spot after the gun battle. Police took him to Noakhali General Hospital where the doctor pronounced him dead, said the OC.
A foreign pistol, sharp weapons, and five empty cartridges were recovered from the spot.
There were several cases against Nazrul, including Rakib murder, the police officer said.
On Sunday night, Shibir activists attacked BCL leaders in Amanullahpur Bazar area leaving five including Rakib severely injured.
Rakib died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Monday noon. His mother Shirin Akhter filed a case with Begumganj thana naming 25 people.
Police arrested four Shibir activists and produced them before the court on Monday noon, the OC said.