Seven suspected members of a Rohingya robber gang were killed in a single ‘gunfight’ with members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on a hill in Teknaf upazila early yesterday. In another ‘gunfight’ in the same upazila of the district left a suspected ‘drug peddler’ killed.  The identities of the deceased in both shootout incidents could not be known. Tipped off, a gang of robbers of 'Jokey Group' was taking preparation to commit robbery in Jadimora-Mochni area of the hill behind Rohingya camp No 27, a team of RAB conducted a drive there around 4:30am, said Mirza Shahed Mahtab, company commander of RAB-15.  Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the robbers opened fire on them prompting them to fire back in self-defence that triggered the gunfight, Mahtab said.  After two and a half hours of the gunfight, the elite force members recovered seven bodies from the spot.

They also recovered two firearms from the spot.

Meanwhile, a suspected drug trader was killed in a 'gunfight' with members of Border Guard Bangladesh in Jadimora canal area of Teknaf upazila early yesterday.

Tipped off, a patrol team of Noyapara BOP took position in the area around 4am, said Lt Col Mohammad Faisal Hasan Khan, commanding officer of BGB-2 battalion.

At one stage, the team challenged a gang of drug traders

when they reached the area by a boat.

 Sensing danger, the gang members opened fire on them forcing them to fire back, triggering the gunfight.

 After gunfight, the BGB team rescued the bullet-injured drug trader and took him to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

 The team also recovered 1.50 lakh Yaba pills, one arms and two rounds of cartridges.