Security encounter kills six in Rajshahi militant den

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RAJSHAHI, May 11, 2017 (BSS) – Five presumed militants and a firefighter were killed today in a suicide blast as police raided overnight a terrorist den in Rajshahi’s Godagari upazila, officials said here.

“Five militants, two being women, and one of the fire service man
assisting us in the raid died in their suicide blast at the hideout,” an police officer told newsmen near the scene as security forces wrapped up the clampdown at Habashpur area of Godagari.

He said slain firefighter Abdul Matin succumbed to his wounds at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital while two policemen were being treated at a hospital with injuries.

The fireman and two policemen were injured while the militants attacked them with bombs and lethal weapons storming out of their den as the security raid was underway.

The slain terrorists were a militant couple — Sazzad Hossain and Beli – and their three adult children, daughter Karima and sons Alamin and Shoeb.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Godagari Police Station Hifzur Alam Munshi told the newsmen police cordoned the house off since 9:00pm last night and began the action at around 3:00am early today by repeatedly asking them to give in.

He said as police tried to storm the house, the militants came out and attacked them and the fire service personnel with sharp weapons.

“The women were seen using machetes and another man using a spear . . . later, they exploded suicide vests,” he said.

Another daughter of the couple, Sumaiya, however, surrendered to police after three hours of pursuance while police rescued two babies from the house.

According to locals, Sazzad lived with his wife, two sons and two
daughters and the family avoided neighbours. Sazzad used to sell clothes as a roving trader. His sons, Alamin and Shoeb were involved in farming.

Local administration imposed section 144 at the place of occurrence and its adjacent areas.