Suspected drug smuggler killed in 'gunfight' with Coast Guard in Naf River

A suspected drug smuggler was killed in a reported gunfight with the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the Naf River in Cox's Bazar today (4 January). 

The incident took place in the Golar Char area of the river near Shahpari Dwip in the early morning, Coast Guard Media Officer Lt Commander Md Siam-ul-Haq told The Business Standard.

The deceased is yet to be identified. 

"When an engine-powered boat entered Golar Char from Myanmar, the Coast Guard members signaled it to stop. But the boat increased speed and quickly moved towards the Bay of Bengal. Later, the Coast Guard members chased the boat. 

"The Coast Guard members opened fire when shots were being fired from the boat," Lt Commander Siam said.

"Later, the Coast Guard detained 16 people from the boat but one of them died from gunshot. Three weapons and 10,000 yaba pills were recovered," he added. 

Preparations are underway to file a case over the incident, he further added.

Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-charge Muhammad Gias Uddin said the body of the deceased has been sent to the Cox's Bazar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.