Suspected robber ringleader killed in Dhaka 'gunfight'

A suspected ringleader of a robbery gang has been killed in a reported gunfight with Detective Branch (DB) of police in Dhaka's Basila area.

The gunfight took place around 11:30pm on Monday, DB's Additional Deputy Commissioner (Mohammadpur zone) Md Anisuddin said.

The deceased, Ali Hossain Titu, was involved in recent robberies at the capital's two pharmacies -- Lazz Pharma in Khilgaon and Billah Pharma in Mohammadpur, he said.

The DB official said: "We conducted a drive in Basila area on Monday night based on the information that an incident of robbery was going to be committed there."

"The information was gleaned from five robbers, who are now on remand on allegation of their involvement in the robberies at the pharmacies."

"Sensing our presence at the spot, a group of people standing near a pickup-van opened fire on us prompting the law enforcers to retaliate."

At one stage of the gunfight, the individuals fled the scene, leaving one of their fellows with bullet wounds, he said.

The injured was taken to Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead, Anisuddin said.

"The picture of the deceased was showed to the arrestees who confirmed his identity."

The law enforcers also recovered a revolver and a knife from the spot. 

On Sunday, DB police arrested five suspected robbers for their alleged involvement in robberies, wearing masks and carrying guns, at Billah Pharma on April 1 and an outlet of Lazz Pharma on April 5, working in two separate groups.

The arrested were -- Sohel, 36, Sohrab, 30, Nawaj, 30, Shahin, 22, and Raju, 25.

Police said the suspects are friends who scavenged for vegetables in Karwan Bazar and sometimes stole goods from local shops.

Recently they decided to work together and do something "big" taking advantage of the government holiday enforced to check the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, police said.

Abdul Latif, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mohammadpur police station, earlier told the Dhaka Tribune that a case was filed in connection with the robbery at Billah Pharma and they were trying to identify the robbers from CCTV (closed-circuit television) footage of the pharmacy.

However, DB officials said the deceased Titu and the arrestee Sohel were leading the team who would take 40% of the money earned by robbery, while rest of the amount would be shared among others.

Titu, a resident of Sylhet, stayed in Dhaka's Demra area while Sohel, of Noakhali, lived at Mirpur 1.

They used to commit robberies three to four days a week in different areas of Dhaka with two mini-trucks they hijacked, the DB officials added.