Suspect in bloggers murders killed in Dhaka

The prime suspect in the twin murder case of bloggers Avijit Roy and Niladri Chattopadhyay Niloy was killed in a "gunfight" with the detectives in Khilgaon, Dhaka, today.

Identified as Shariful alias Sakib alias Sharif alias Saleh alias Arif alias Hadi-1, the suspect was a top organiser of banned militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), said Masudur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (media) of DMP.

He was a prime suspect in blogger Avijit and Niladri murders as evidence of his presence was found at the crime scenes. The police had also announced Tk five lakh bounty on him, reports the Daily Star.

According to DMP website, Sharif used to recruit and train the ABT men on firearms and information technology.

The incident occurred a day after the killing of 18-year-old Golam Faizullah Fahim claimed to be a member of banned outfit Hizb-ut Tahrir.

Fahim was killed in police custody during a "gunfight" between the men in uniform and his cohorts.

Fleeing after hacking a Hindu college teacher in Madaripur, he was caught by the locals and handed over to the police.

Over the last three years, suspected militants have attacked and killed university professors, writers, publishers, secular bloggers, gay rights activists, foreigners, policemen and members of religious minorities.