Robber ringleader killed in Khulna ‘gunfight’

UNB, Khulna :The ringleader of a forest robber gang was killed in a ‘gunfight’ between his cohorts and police at Bhutungamarir Char in Sundarbans of Koyra upazila early Friday.The deceased was identified as Abdur Moktarul, 32, leader of the forest robber gang, Moktar Bahini of the area and son of Mati Dhali of No 2 Koyra union in the upazila.Police said, they arrested Abdur Moktarul from Harintana area in the city on Tuesday.Later police conducted a drive along with him to recovered firearms in the area at around 12.00 am.Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, Moktarul’s cohorts fired gunshots in a bid to snatch him, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate, which triggered a gunfight.Moktarul was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot. Five policemen, including an assistant sub-inspector of Koyra Police Station, were also injured during the exchange of fire.Later, police recovered four country-made guns, four pipe guns, 16 rounds of bullet and six bombs from the scene. Police said, Moktarul was wanted in several cases, including that for murder.