The New Nation - Internet Edition

Kushtia Correspondent

Two top-listed extremist leaders were killed in a "crossfire" during an encounter with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Goneshpur of Khoksha upazila in Kushtia yesterday.

The deceased were identified as Golam Hossain Alias Akash, 35, brother of slain Janajuddho chief Dada Tapan and Abdur Rashid alias Tikka, 32, chief of notorious Tikka Bahini.

Tikka, who was wanted in various cases including eight murders, joined Janajuddha after an understanding with party chief Abdur Rashid Malitha alias Dada Tapan. RAB sources said police arrested Golam Hossain from a hideout of Dada Tapan at Bhodibari at Sadar uapzila on June 18 after Tapan was killed in a shootout with RAB on the same day.

According to Akash's statement, a team of RAB-12 went to Khoksha upazila for recovering hidden arms and ammunition of Dada Tapan and nabbing his associates.

"As soon as RAB force reached a place near Goneshpur Eidgah ground, the extremists opened fire on them forcing the law enforcers to fire back.

During the gun battle, Akash escaped from RAB custody and joined the extremists, sources said.

Police rushed to the spot and recovered the bullet-ridden body of Tikka from the scene.

Later, the body of Akash was recovered 50 yards away from the scene. One AK-56 SMG, two guns, one .303 LG, one revolver, 14 rounds of bullet were recovered from the place of gun battle..

Three RAB members were also injured in the shootout.