BARGUNA: Three pirates were killed in a so-called gunfight with a combined force of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Coastguard members at Majherchar on Baleswar River under Patharghata upazila in the district on Thursday night.

The deceased were identified as Kuddus Molla alias Nati Kuddus, Arab Ali alias Company Arab and Idris Ali alias Ranga Idris--all hailed from village Ramda under Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat district.

Rab sources said they were members of ‘Raju group’. So many bandit outfits of this kind, named after their ringleaders, reportedly roam around different haunts over the bay and the Sundarbans mangrove forests along the coast.

One RAB official said, “Acting on intelligence information, a team of Rab and Coastguard raided Majherchar of Baleswar River. At the time, the Raju group was lying in wait for committing robbery. Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the pirates opened fire on them.”

“Three pirates were killed as RAB and Coastguard fired back. Besides, Flight Lt. Shamim and Corporal Faruk of RAB were injured in the gunfight,” assistant director of Barisal RAB (RAB-8) Lieutenant Mahiuddin told banglanews24.com.bd.

The law-enforcing agencies recovered one trawler, four LGs with 17 cartridges, five local-made guns, one airgun, 330 live bullets and four Ramdas from the scene, he said.

RAB handed over the bodies to Charduani police station of Patherghata upazila on Friday morning. The bodies were sent to Barguna Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

BDST: 1341 Hrs, June11, 2010
Corr/SA/AK/MUA