Robber killed in crude bomb explosion during attempted robbery on Meghna
Two other robbers were critically injured after being beaten by villagers who captured them before handing them over to police
A suspected robber was killed when a cocktail bomb exploded in his hand during an attempted robbery in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj this morning (16 August).
Two other robbers were critically injured after being beaten by villagers who captured them before handing them over to police.
The incident took place around 7:30am on the Meghna River near Bhati Balaki village under Hosendi Union.
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The suspects reportedly fired at the villagers and threw crude bombs while attempting to rob a bulkhead using a hijacked trawler and speedboat.
Two villagers, Alam, 37, and Sohag, 16, were also injured after being attacked by the gang.
Saleh Ahmed Pathan, officer-in-charge of Kalagachhia Naval Police Outpost, said, "The robbers hijacked a trawler and a speedboat from the Anandabazar area of Sonargaon upazila early this morning. During the attempted robbery, one cocktail exploded in a robber's hand while throwing it at locals who tried to stop them."
He added that locals detained the three suspects, beat them up and handed them over to the police.
All were critically injured, and the explosion-injured suspect died at the hospital, he said, adding, "We have recovered two unexploded cocktails from the scene."
According to eyewitnesses, a group of robbers first attempted to loot bulkheads anchored near Bhati Balaki around 3am but retreated when confronted by fishermen.
They returned a few hours later with a trawler and a speedboat.
As villagers tried to resist, the robbers fired blank shots and hurled several cocktails to create panic.
One bomb exploded in the hand of a gang member while he was preparing to throw it, severing his wrist.
Five to six robbers fled on a speedboat, while three others attempted to escape on the trawler.
Locals chased them down to the Char Kishorganj area, captured them, and handed them over to the police after a mob beating.
Police later took the injured suspects to Narayanganj General Hospital, where one died.
Dr Md Zahirul Islam, Resident Medical Officer at Narayanganj General Hospital, confirmed one death and said another injured suspect was undergoing treatment.
Superintendent of Police of the Naval Police in Narayanganj region, Md Alamgir Hossain, said efforts were underway to confirm the identities of the suspects.
