Pirate leader killed in Bagerhat \\\'shootout\\\'

A pirate gang leader was killed in a ‘shootout’ between his cohorts and police in Sarankhola Upazila in Bagerhat district on Sunday. The dead is Namir Talukder, 38, chief of Namir Bahini and son of Suntal Talukder, a resident of Arjunbahar village in Bagerhat Sadar Upazila. Kazi Abdus Salek, officer-in-charge of Sarankhola Police Station, said tipped off, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police and Sarankhola thana police jointly conducted a drive at Arjunbahar village on Saturday night and arrested Namir. According to Namir’s statement, police along with Namir went to Bhola River at Uttar Rajapur village near the Sundarbans at dead of night to recover arms, he said. Sensing the presence of police, associates of Namir opened fire on them, prompting the law enforcers to fire back, triggering a ‘shootout’. Namir was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot while his associates managed to escape. Three policemen, including the OC, were also injured during the gun battle. Police recovered a rifle and four rounds of bullet from the spot, according to UNB.