Three alleged robbers and a suspected drug peddler have been killed in Cox’s Bazar in two separate incidents in what the police described as shootouts.

The incidents were reported in the early hours of Saturday (Aug 3) from the hilly areas of Nurullahghona and Dorgapara in the district’s Teknaf Upazila, said police.

The deceased have been identified as Md Junaid, 36, Aiyub, 30, Mehedi Hasan, 35 and Imran Molla, 32.

Among the deceased, three robbers were killed in a shootout at the hilly areas of Nurullahghona in the early hours on Saturday, said Teknaf police OC Pradeep Kumar Das.

“Being tipped-off, police conducted a drive at the area to catch robbers. As soon as police reached the area, the robbers opened fire on them, prompting them to fire back in self defense which triggered the shootout,” said OC Das.

“Later, Md Junaid, Aiyub and Mehedi Hasan were found critically injured while their cohorts were managed to flee from the scene. They were rushed to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital where the doctor declared them dead,” he said.

Police said that Additional Superintendent of police Rezwan, Inspector Manas Barua, ASI Sajib and Constable Mehedi and OC Pradeep Kumar Das were injured in the incident and have been admitted to the hospital.

In the other incident, a drug peddler Imran Molla was found dead at Dorgapara area near to Marine Drive Road, said police.

“Acting on a tip-off that two groups of yaba traders were exchanging fire among them in the area, police rushed to the spot. Imran was found lying at the scene and was sent to Cox’s Bazar state-run hospital where the doctor declared him dead,” said OC Pradeep Kumar Das.

“The four bodies have been kept at the hospital for autopsy,” said the OC.

Police said that they have seized seven firearms, five sharp weapons and 25 rounds of ammunitions from the incident spots.