A suspected drug peddler was killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Badda of Dhaka early today.

Deceased Rony Miah, 32, was the accused of 18 drug-related cases filed with different police stations, Md Kamruzzaman, an assistant director of Rab-1, told The Daily Star.

He used to supply drug in Bhatara area of the capital, said the Rab official.

A team of Rab-1 raided Satarkul area of Badda around 12:40am on information that some “drug peddlers” were dividing a consignment of drugs among themselves, he said.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the “criminals” opened fire. The Rab men retaliated, triggering the “gunfight”.

Rony was hit by bullets, the others fled, the Rab official added.

Rony was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead, Kamruzzaman said.

Rab also recovered three firearms, nine cartridges and some 1970 pieces of yaba pills from the spot, the Rab official added.