02 October 2004	Saturday	16 Shaban 1425

DHAKA, Oct 1: The ringleader and nine members of a gang were killed during a gunfight with paramilitary troops in Chittagong district on Thursday.

The Rapid Action Battalion seized a huge cache of firearms and ammunition after the gunfight, which lasted six hours and left two of its members injured.

The deaths pushed the number of people killed by the battalion to 33 since the force launched its operation in April.

The dead leader of the gang was identified as Jan-i-Alam, 35. He was believed to be enjoying political patronage. He had also filed nomination papers for commissioner in municipal elections slated for Oct 6.