BARGUNA: Two persons suspected as pirates were killed in a ‘shootout’ with a combined force of Coastguard, RAB and police in Geanpara area in Pathorgata upazila of the backwater coastal district on Friday morning. 

Official sources said the law-enforcers recovered three pistols and 10 bullets from their possession during the encounter.

The deceased were identified as Afjal, 35, and Faroque, 32. Coastguard claimed they were “members of a gang of robbers”.

Coastguard South Zone Headquarters Operation Officer Mushfiqur Rahman said acting on a tip-off, Coastguard, RAB and police busted the hideout of ‘Julfiqar Bahini’ adjacent to Geanpara in Pathorgata on Friday morning.

Sensing law enforcers’ presence, the suspects, who gathered in their haunt, started firing “indiscriminately”. Afjal and Faruque got caught in the crossfire amid a gun-battle that ensued and died on the spot.

BDST: 1857 HRS, JULY 9, 2010