2 suspected muggers killed in Tongi ‘gunfight’

Two suspected muggers have been killed in a reported gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Gazipur’s Tongi.

The incident took place under the Tongi Bridge on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway around 12:30am on Thursday, Mufti Mahmud Khan, director of RAB’s law and media wing, confirmed to Dhaka Tribune.

According to RAB, the deceased are Nongra Nannu, 30, and Blade Babu, 25.

RAB 1 Assistant Director Md Kamruzzaman said: “Police forces of Uttara East and West police stations have been looking for them for a long time. There have been accusations against them of terrorism, mugging and extortion.”

He said a RAB patrol team was making rounds near the area on Wednesday night when they came across a gang of muggers robbing people at gunpoint. Realizing the presence of the elite force, the muggers ran underneath the bridge.

When RAB members advanced towards them, the duo opened fire at them, forcing RAB to strike back, leaving the two injured while the others escaped.

Three RAB personnel – RAB 1 Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Saiful Islam, Sainik Kamrul Islam and Sainik Rakib – were also injured in the shooting. Rakib has been sent to Dhaka Combined Military Hospital (CMH),

The injured muggers were taken to Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital, where the on-duty doctors declared them dead.

RAB official Kamruzzaman further said they recovered a pistol, a bullet, seven mobile phones, four sharp weapons and two switchgears from the spot.

Preparations are underway to file a case in this regard, he added.