11 arrested after gunfight between joint forces, terror group in Khulna city

After a gunfight that lasted several hours with joint forces, 11 members of a notorious terror group were arrested with firearms and ammunition in Khulna city in the early hours today (30 March).

The gunfight started at around 12:30am at the house of one Abdur Rahman in the city's Sonadanga area when joint forces, comprising members of the police and Bangladesh Navy, went there to conduct a raid, according to Khulna Metropolitan Police's (KMP) Assistant Commissioner (AC) Azam Khan.

Police have identified all arrested individuals as members of the city's top terror gang called "Polash Group".

Following the July-August mass uprising, this gang's criminal activities increased and Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) even announced a reward for the arrest of the group's leader, Polash.

According to joint force sources, the operation began after receiving information that the gang members were holding a meeting at that house. During this time, a fierce gunfight started between both sides and lasted until 4am.

After the gunfight ended, 11 men were arrested from the scene with gunshot wounds. All of them are currently receiving treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital.

The arrested individuals include Sheikh Polash, Md Ariful, Kala Lavlu aka Rubel Islam, Fazle Rabbi Rajon, Mohammad Lion Sharif, Imranuzzaman, Imran, Ripon, Saikat Rahman, Md Mahidul Islam, and Md Golam Rabbani.

Following the operation, three pistols, one shotgun, a locally made gun, sharp weapons including axes and machete, several rounds of shotgun cartridges, and seven motorcycles were recovered from the site.