2 Rohingyas accused of JL leader murder killed in ‘gunfight’

Two Rohingya men accused of killing a Juba League (JL) leader were killed early Saturday in what police described as a gun battle in Teknaf.

The deceased were identified as Muhammad Shah, son of Sobbir Ahmed, of Mongdur in Myanmar’s Akiyab district, and Abdul Shukkur, son of Abdul Aziz of Silkhali in Rasidong thana of the same district.

The two – accused of killing ward 9 JL President Omar Faruk – were residing in the Rohingya camps on Jadimura hill.

The gun battle took place as police arrived at the foot of Jadimura Hill after a tip-off to detain Shah and Shukkur.

Three police officials were also injured in the gunfight.

“The Rohingya terrorists killed Faruk after picking him up from in front of his home on Thursday. They took him to a nearby hill at around 10:30pm,” Teknaf police Officer in-charge (OC) Pradeep Kumar Das said.

“Two LG firearms, nine shotgun cartridges and 12 cartridge shells were recovered from the spot,” the OC said.

SI Rashel Ahmed, the investigating officer of Faruk murder case, said: “We launched a raid on Friday night after a tip-off that the absconding accused were staying the night in the Jadimura hill. Upon sensing police presence, the terrorists opened fire. The police fired back in retaliation and at one point, the terrorists retreated and fled to the depths of the hill.”

The police later found them in critical condition as they had sustained bullet injuries during the exchange of shots. 

OC Pradeep said, “Shah and Shukkur were first taken to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex and were later transferred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital on Saturday for better treatment. The on-duty doctor pronounced them dead when they were taken there.”

Their bodies were kept in the hospital morgue for autopsy.

According to police information, a separate case would be filed in connection with the gun battle.

Thousands of locals took to the streets on Friday to protest the killing of Omar.