A local leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami was shot dead during a police drive in Chittagong's Sitakunda upazila this afternoon.

Osman Goni, 26, was secretary of Muradpur union Jamaat unit, our local correspondent reports quoting another local Jamaat leader.

Police raided Goni's residence in Dakkhin Rahamatnagar village to arrest him around 2:00pm, said Muhammad Abdul Awal, additional superintendent of local police (special branch).

"Goni was shot when he tried to snatch the arms of the policemen," he said. "He later succumbed to his wound on way to Chittagong Medical College Hospital."

However, the deceased's father Abul Kashem alleged that the law enforcers shot him in the back. "My son was having lunch when police came. They shot him from behind when he tried to flee."

Goni was accused in at least 17 cases including those for subversive activities and attacking law enforcers, the police official said.