Two suspected snatchers were killed in a reported shootout with police in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Two more suspects were also arrested from the scene.
The deceased were – Enamul and Rasel while the arrested are – Yamin and Nayan.
The incident took place at Khilkhet early Tuesday, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch Deputy Commissioner Mashiur Rahman.
He said that taking advantage of the lack of public transport during the lockdown, there were allegations that some gangs of snatchers were robbing people’s belongings in the name of sharing rides. Bodies of two strangulated people were found in recent times on Dhaka streets and they were killed by such snatchers, he said.
Several teams of DB’s Gulshan division along with Khilkhet police were patrolling at Kawla around 12:30am while another team was stationed in the middle of the eastbound flyover, he said.
At around 2:30am, the miscreants opened fire from a CNG-run auto rickshaw when it was obstructed by the police. Police also opened fire in self-defence, said the official.
After trade of gunshots, police took of the attackers to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where the duty doctor declared them dead.
Another two were arrested from the spot, he added.
Police seized a CNG-run auto rickshaw, a foreign pistol, a magazine loaded with two of bullets, an old sharp knife, two ointment, a green towel, nine mobile phones, 16 pieces yaba pill, a lighter and Tk 5,000 in cash from the spot, Mashiur said.
After primary interrogation, arrested Nayan and Yamin told the police that they used to snatch everything from the people tying them with handloom towel and putting ointments in their eyes. If the victim tries to scream, they strangulate them, he said.
They all are accused in multiple cases of snatching, robbery, murder and drug trafficking. They are all addicted to yaba and marijuana.
