Two men, suspected of raping a schoolgirl, have been killed in a reported shootout with police in Bhola Sadar upazila.

The incident occurred at Rajapur union around 2:30am on Wednesday (Aug 14).

The deceased were identified as Al Amin, 27, and Manjur Alam, 30. Both of them were residents of Char Samaiya union of the upazila.

Confirming the matter, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sagir Mia of Bhola Model police station said: “Acting on tip-off, a police team went to Rajapur village around 2:30am to detain the rape suspects. 

“Sensing the presence of law enforcement officials, criminals opened fire, which then triggered a shootout. Two of the criminals were killed during the exchange of fire,” he said.

Both of them were also accused in other cases for drug dealing and other offenses.

The bodies were sent to Bhola Sadar hospital morgue for autopsy, the OC added.

A sixth-grade schoolgirl was gang-raped allegedly by Al Amin, who was their neighbour, and his accomplice Manjur, at Char Samaiya village in the Sadar upazila on the night of August 11.

The victim is still in critical condition and is currently being treated at Bhola Sadar Hospital.

Family members said that the girl was going to meet their neighbour Mahfuz’s wife to wear henna ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. On her way, Alamin, a tenant of Mahfuz, called her to his room on the pretext of giving her the henna.

Alamin and his associate Manjur Alam gagged the girl, and tied her hands and legs before raping her.

Neighbours and family members rescued the victim upon hearing her screams. She was first taken to Bhola police station and later admitted to the Sadar Hospital, said Char Samaiya Union Chairman Mohiuddin.