A suspected drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with Rapid Action Battalion in Dhaka’s Khilkhet area early today.

Deceased Anwar Hossain, 34, a resident of Khilkhet, was accused in 18 drug-related cases and one rape case filed with the local police station, said Md Kamruzzaman, an assistant director at Rab-1.

Acting on a tip-off that a group of drug dealers was gathering at Khilkhet’s Barural for trading drugs, a team of Rab-1 raided the area around 2:00am, Kamruzzaman said.

Sensing their presence, the suspected drug peddlers opened fire targeting them, the Rab official said adding that the elite force members in self-defence also fired back, triggering the “gunfight”.  

Anwar came in the line of fire and was hit by bullets while his accomplices ran away, the Rab official said.

He was taken to Kurmitola General Hospital where doctors declared him dead, Kamruzzaman said.

A Rab man sustained minor injuries during the incident, he said, adding that they recovered four firearms, 34 bullets and 1,950 yaba pills from the spot.

The Rab official said Anwar was a supplier of drugs in Khilkhet and adjacent areas.