Kushtia, Oct. 27 -- A prolonged gun battle between the local 'Kakon' and 'Kalu' gangs for control over the waterways of the Padma River triggered panic among fishermen and residents in Kushtia on Tuesday.

The exchange of gunfire began around 2pm near the confluence of the Padma and Garai rivers and Digri Char in Ishwardi, Pabna, and continued intermittently for several hours till evening.

Locals claimed they easily heard over 100 gunshots during the daylong clashes.

According to locals, members of the Kakon gang took positions with speedboats and boats at Digri Char, across the Padma from the Mahanagar Tack area of Haripur in Kushtia Sadar upazila. Members of the Kalu gang were positioned in the Kalabagan area of Digri Char, in Ishward...