Two suspected drug traders were killed and seven police injured in separate gunfights in Mymensingh and Kushtia districts early Monday.
In Mymensingh, Noman Khan, 45, an accused in several drug cases, was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Raghunampur area of Sadar upazila around 1:45am.
Two policemen were also injured during the gunfight, said Mahmudul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station.
Another suspected drug trader was killed in a gunfight with police at Haripur Sheikh Russell link road bridge in Kushtia district town around 2:00am.
The deceased—Shahar Ali, 38, son of Monwar Box of Mazampur—was accused in several drug-related cases, police said.
Tipped off that a gang of drug traders gathered under the bridge, a team of police conducted a drive there, said Atiqur Rahman, a sub-inspector (SI) at Kushtia Model Police Station.
Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the 'drug traders' opened fire on them forcing them to fire back in self-defence.
After the gunfight, police recovered the bodies of Shahar along with a shooter gun, three bullets and 600 Yaba pills from the spot, reports UNB.
Five policemen were also injured, said the SI.
With the latest deaths, at least 139 people were killed in 'gunfights' with members of law enforcement agencies while 37 bodies of suspected drug traders were recovered after reported gun battles between rival groups during the countrywide anti-narcotic drives since 15 May.
