Ten pirates killed in gunfight with police

BHOLA, Dec 14 (UNB): At least ten pirates were killed in a fierce gunfight with police near Monpura Island Wednesday. A fisherman caught in the crossfire was also killed and three police were wounded in the gunfight with Zakir bahani of Ilishar Char. Sub-inspector Nurul Alam Talukdar of Monpura thana said that they received an information in the forming that the pirates were looting the fishing trawlers and houses in Bhasan Char on the south of Char Nizam. A strong contingent of police rushed to the spot and found the pirates were looting the trawler of Monir Majee near Kalkini. As the police came close, pirates from two trawlers opened fire at them. Police returned the fire and the gun battle continued for an hour before the pirates retreated in a trawler. Another trawler of the pirates was stuck up in the char, which was seized by the police. The bodies of pirate bahini chief Zakir, fisherman Billal and nine pirates were brought by the police to Bhasan Char of Monpura in the evening. Police also seized three guns, ammunition, and some sharp weapons. SI Nurul Alam and two cops injured by gunshots were undergoing treatment locally. The gunfight has created panic among the villagers in adjacent chars.