Two ‘drug peddlers’ have been killed in Cox’s Bazar in what the police described as shootout.
The incident was reported around 3am on Friday (May 22) from Rajarchhara area in the district’s Teknaf Upazila, said police.
The deceased have been identified as 40-year-old Nur Mohammad and 35-year-old Nurul Amin.
Police said both men are listed yaba traders.
“Police conducted a drive in the area with Nur Mohammad and Nurul Amin to detain their cohorts. As soon as police reached the area, a group of yaba traders opened fire, prompting them to fire back in self defence which triggered a shootout,” said Teknaf police OC Pradeep Kumar Das.
“Mohammad and Amin suffered bullet injuries in the incident while their cohorts managed to escape from the scene. They were rushed to Teknaf Sadar Hospital where the doctor declared them dead,” said Das.
“Locally made 8 firearms, 20,000 yaba tablets and 20 rounds of ammunition were seized from the scene,” added the OC.
Police also said that 5 of their members were injured in the incident.
Nur Mohammed has been accused in 10 cases including murder and Nurul was implicated in at least three cases, including attack on police, assault on journalists and money laundering, added OC Pradeep.
The bodies have been sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy.