A suspected mugger was killed in an alleged gunfight with police near Joy Kali Temple in the capital’s Wari area early yesterday. Rafikul Islam, Officer-in-charge (OC) of Wari Police Station, said the suspect was identified as Md Rakib, 20, who is also the main suspect of Abu Talha murder case.

Abu Talha, a student of Daffodil International University (DIU), was stabbed to death reportedly by a gang of muggers at Tikatuli in the capital on October 7, last year. “He is also accused in another case over a murder that took place near the Joy Kali Temple on April 1. Rakib is also accused in multiple mugging cases,” said the OC. Police also detained Md Zakir Hossain, 20, and Md Shahed Dhola, 18-- accomplices of Rakib.

“Acting on a tip off that a gang of muggers was preparing for mugging, a team of police went to the spot. Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the muggers opened fire on police, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate, resulting in a gunfight,” the OC said.

After half-an hour of gunfight, police arrested one who sustained bullet injuries during and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

After Talha’s murder, police on October 18, last year, arrested two suspects— Abdur Rahman and Belal—in connection. The two gave confessional statements later revealing Rakib’s involvement with Talha murder.