Man killed in \\\'gunfight\\\' with police

A man was killed in a ‘gun battle’ between a group of an outlawed party men and police in Phultala Upazila in Khulna district on Tuesday. The incident took place in Dhopakhala area in the morning. The deceased was identified as Monirul Islam Sheikh, 32, son of Abdus Sattar Sheikh of Damadar village in the upazila. Police claimed that he was a regional member of Purba Banglar Communist Party (ML), a banned outfit. Sources at Phultala Police Station said a team of police conducted a drive and arrested Monirul at Kalia Upazila headquarters of Narail district around 12pm on Monday. Later, police along with Monirul raided Dhopakhala beside Beel Dakatia in Khulna district around 2:40am on Tuesday to recover illegal firearms. ‘Sensing the presence of police, the outlawed party men opened fire on police prompting retaliation by the law enforces, triggering a gunfight. Monirul was killed in the line of fire, police added. However, Monirul’s family and locals claimed that police killed him early Tuesday after arresting him on Monday, according to a news agency.