Jamaat leader killed in Satkhira \\\'shootout\\\'

A local leader of Jamaat-e-Islami was killed in a 'shootout' between police and suspected Jamaat men at Kaliganj upazila in Satkhira district on Wednesday. The dead is Ashraful Islam, general secretary of Kushulia union unit of Jamaat and son of Adam Ali of Thekra village. Being tipped off that a group of Jamaat leaders and workers was holding a clandestine meeting at Bhadrakhali village, a team conducted a drive at the village around 3:00am, said Golam Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kaliganj Police Station. Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, Jamaat activists hurled 5-6 crude bombs on them prompting the police personnel to retaliate with firing that triggered a 'shootout'. Ashraful was injured by bullets in the line of fire. Police rescued him and rushed him to the upazila health complex where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. Five policemen – Mohsin, Kamal, Shahidul, Zabbar and Ahad — were also injured in the gun battle, according to UNB.