4 ‘forest robbers’ killed in Sundarbans ‘gunfight’

Four suspected forest robbers, including the chief of infamous ‘Arif Bahini’, were killed in a reported gunfight between their cohorts and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Jongrar Canal of Sundarbans in Mongla Upazila on Monday.

The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.

Tipped off, a Rab-8 team conducted a drive in Chandpai range of Sundarbans East zone at noon, said Rab Director (legal and media wing) Mufti Mahmud Khan. Members of ‘Arif Bahini’ opened fire as soon as the elite force reached the spot, triggering a skirmish.

At one stage, Rab recovered four bullet-hit bodies and some firearms from the spot.

When contacted, Pankaj Chandra Roy, superintendent of Bagerhat police, told UNB at 3:30pm he was unaware about the incident.

Source: unb