3 ‘forest robbers’ killed in Sundarbans ‘gunfight’

Three suspected forest robbers were killed in a ‘gunfight’ with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Sukhpara Char area under Swarankhola range of the Sundarbans on Thursday morning.

Identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.

Based on information that members of a pirate gang ‘Sumon Bahini’ were staying in the area, a team of the elite force carried out a drive in the area on Wednesday night, said Major Sohel Rana Prince, company commander of Rab-8 in Barisal.

Sensing the presence of the Rab personnel, members of the gang opened fire on them, forcing the Rab members to retaliate that triggered a gunfight around 8:40 am, he said.

Several gunshots were traded between the pirate gang and the Rab members during the 40-minute gun battle. 

Three robbers were caught in the line of fire and died on the spot, said the Rab commander.

The Rab team also recovered two single barrel guns, one rifle, one pipe gun, four sharp weapons and 39 rounds of bullets from the spot.

Source: unb