‘UPDF man’ killed in Rangamati ‘gunfight’

A member of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) was killed in a reported gunfight with law enforcers at Maisbhanga in Sadar upazila of Rangamati district early Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Arpan Chakma alias Babudhon Chakma, also an accused in Naniarchar upazila chairman Shaktiman Chakma murder case filed on May 3, 2018, reports UNB. 

Sources said the gunfight began around 5:00am when terrorists suddenly opened fire on a patrol team from Shuvolong camp, prompting the law enforcers to fire back in self-defence.

As the team commander informed Shuvolong camp about the attack, another patrol team joined them, said Additional Superintendent of Police (Rangamati) Mohammad Shafiullah.

When the terrorists fled the scene following the 15-20 minute gunfight, the patrol team recovered Arpan Chakma’s body, Shafiullah said.

He said one foreign pistol, local arms, several bullets, one cartridge and other equipment were recovered from the scene.

Later, locals identified the UPDF member’s body.

They said Arpan along with his associates had been engaged in extortion of money at Banasbhari in Bandhukbhanga area.

On May 3, Shaktiman Chakma, also a leader of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (MN Larma faction), was shot dead by unidentified miscreants in front of the upazila parishad complex.