2 RAB men killed while chasing drug-laden pickup

Two members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) were killed in a road accident on Magura-Jhenidah highway early Friday while chasing a pickup van suspected to be transporting illegal drugs, police said.

The pickup van driver also died from the impact of the crash, reports UNB.

The deceased were identified as RAB members Corporal Anisur Rahman, 36, a resident of Barisal district, Constable Faruk Hossain, 35, an inhabitant of Joypurhat district and Anwar Hossain, 45, driver of the pickup van who used to live in the capital.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Magura Highway Police Liakat Ali said the accident occurred around 4:30am when a RAB patrol car crashed with the pickup van in the Rautara area of Magura Sadar upazila.

Earlier, RAB set up a check-post on the Magura-Jhenidah highway after being tipped off about a pickup van transporting illegal drugs, reports BSS.

“Spotting the vehicle, RAB members signalled it to stop but the pickup van driver accelerated towards Magura. The members gave chase and as the RAB car sped past the pickup van and tried to stop it, the vehicles collided,” the OC said.

A huge number of phensidyl were recovered from the vehicle and two separate cases have been filed with police over the crash, he added.

Critically injured RAB personnel Nazmul Hossain has been sent to Dhaka for better treatment.