Three alleged Rohingya yaba smugglers were killed in a ‘gunfight’ with members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at Ukhia upazila in Cox’s Bazar early on Thursday.
The deceased were identified as Noor Alam, 44, a resident of Tumru Rohingya Camp in Ghumdhum, Md Hamid, 26, of Balukhali camp and Nazir Hossain, 25, of Kutupalong camp.
Lt Col Ali Haider Azad, commander of BGB battalion-34, confirmed the matter. He said that the BGB members took position on Tulatoli frontier on receiving information that a big consignment of yaba from Myanmar will enter Bangladesh.
When a gang of 10 to 12 were entering Bangladesh through the border around 4:00am, the BGB men signalled them to stop.
But the smugglers opened fire at them, forcing them to retaliate, triggering a ‘gunfight’, he added.
He also said that at one stage, the yaba smugglers managed to flee the scene. Later, BGB members found the trio with bullet wounds.
They were declared dead after being taken to Ukhia Upazila Health Complex, he added. BGB members also recovered three lakh yaba pills, two pipe guns and five cartridges from the spot, the official said.