Three suspected drug peddlers were killed in separate 'gunfights' in Bogra, Tangail and Jashore districts early Friday.
The dead in Tangail was identified as Afzal Hossin, 28. The alleged shootout took place at Hugra Union's Beguntal at around 5am on Friday, said RAB-12 Deputy Director Maj Mohammad Rabiul Islam.
Afzal was named in several drug cases, he said. Putu Sarkar, 45, was killed in a tripartite 'gunfight' involving police and two rival gangs of drug peddlers around 3:00am in the town in Bogra.
Law enforcement agencies have been reporting death of 'drug dealers' in 'crossfire' almost every day since the nationwide drive against drugs began in May following a directive by the Prime Minister.
In Jashore a suspected drug peddler was killed in a reported 'gunfight' with rival group at Burar Beel area near Koyerpara Bazaar in Chowgacha Upazila early Friday, reports our Benapole correspondent.
The deceased was identified as Ratan Hossain, 30, son of Abu Bakar of Digholsingha village in the upazila, said Khondokar Samimuddin, Officer-In-Charge of Chowgacha Police Station.
On information about the 'gunfight' between the rival groups of drug peddlers, a police team went to the area and recovered the bullet-hit body of Ratan, the OC said.
He was taken to Jessore General Hospital where on-duty doctor Shafiullah Sabuj declared him dead.
Raton was accused in many narcotics cases, the OC also said, adding that the criminals fled the scene sensing presence of the law enforcers.
Some 200 pieces of yaba tablets, one shooter gun and one round bullet were recovered from the spot, the police official added.
However, Ratan's mother Farida Begum claimed that he used to work in a garment factory in Dhaka and was not involved in narcotics trade.
Ratan had been missing since yesterday after he left home to go to Magura, she said adding that he went to Jashore several days ago.
At least 181 alleged drug peddlers have been killed. A total of 23,000 people have reportedly been arrested while law enforcers have filed 15000 cases.
The law enforcers started a nationwide anti-drug crackdown in May.
Bangladesh government's official data shows the total number of drug addicts in the country is more than 8 million and most of them consume yaba. The law enforcement agencies have recovered more than 44 million pills of yaba last year.
According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), only 10 per cent of total drugs are generally recovered in any country.
