Three people, including two suspected drug traders, died in “gunfights” with the police and the Rab in Dhaka, Munshiganj, and Rangpur yesterday.

Mizanur Rahman Jewel, 38, got injured in a gun battle that broke out in Dumni, Khilkhet neighbourhood of the capital around 1am, said Md Kamruzzaman, assistant director, Rab-1.

“A team of the elite force raided the area on a tip-off that drug traders had gathered there. The criminals opened fire provoking retaliation from the Rab men. Jewel got shot and was declared dead after being taken to the Kurmitola General Hospital,” said the officer. 

The 38-year-old man was accused in 13 cases, he added.

Two Rab men also got injured in what he described as a “gunfight”. A firearm, ammunition and 1,950 pieces of yaba tablets were seized from the spot, the officer said.

Similar account came from Rab in Munshiganj. The incident took place in the sadar upazila where Sujan Mia, who, according to Rab, was on the list of “most wanted criminals” prepared by the home ministry, died after being shot.

The 36-year-old man had been a top drug trader, said Enayet Mannan, superintendent of police at Rab-11. In this scene too, the Rab personnel recovered yaba tablets, firearm and ammunition, reports our Munshiganj correspondent

A “top criminal” of Lalmonirhat got killed in a gunfight in Gangachhara upazila of Rangpur, said local police.

The deceased Shahidul Islam Sumon, 34, was charged with rape and extortion in nine cases, said Saifur Rahman, additional superintendent of police (circle-a), Rangpur.

“Sumon and his cohorts were roaming around East Ichali village during the early hours of Tuesday. A police team went there to net Sumon, who got shot while trying to flee. His cohorts managed to flee on motorcycles.

“Sumon died while being taken to the Rangpur Medical College Hospital. His body was sent to the morgue for autopsy,” said SP Saifur.

Police seized a firearm and 22 yaba pills from the spot.