An alleged top leader of an outlawed party was killed in a "gunfight" with police in Dhalarchar area of Pabna's Bera upazila early yesterday during a drive for recovering illegal firearms.
Four policemen were also injured in the incident.
The deceased, Julhash Mondol, 42, of village Darirchar Mondolpara in Dhalarchar area, was the leader of outlawed PBCP Red Flag faction, locally known as the commander of 'Julhash Bahini', said police.
He was accused in nine criminal cases filed with police stations in different districts, including Pabna, Kushtia and Rajbari.
Pabna police superintendent Jihadul Kabir said Julhas was a listed criminal and had been in hiding for some time. A team from Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had arrested Julhas in the capital's New Market area on Tuesday and then handed him over to Pabna police.
Acting on information obtained from him, Aminpur police took Julhash along with them during a raid to recover a cache of arms in Dourir Char of Bera upazila. Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, his cohorts fired shots at the police near Balaz Member intersection in Dhalar Char area around 1:00am, prompting police to retaliate and thus triggering a "gunfight", Jihadul added.
At one point of the "gunfight", Julhash's cohorts fled leaving Julhash's body behind, Sukumar Mohonto, officer in charge of Aminpur police station, said.
Police recovered two pipe guns, one pistol, seven bullets, two machetes and some other sharp weapons from the spot, the OC said.
“We are trying to nab the other accused outlawed operatives in the area,” he added.
