Two alleged criminals were killed in separate “gunfights” with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Gazipur and Narayanganj districts early today.

The deceased have been identified as Masud Parvej, 33, and Tuhin Hosen, 23, our local correspondents report quoting Rab officials.

In Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila, a team of Rab conducted a raid in Saatkhamair Bazar area around 2:30am based on a tip off, said Md Kamruzzaman, assistant director of Rab-1.

Sensing their presence, a gang of robbers who were preparing to conduct a robbery in the area fired shots targeting the law enforcers prompting their retaliation which resulted in a “gunfight”, claimed the Rab official.

Masud was caught in the line of fire and hit by a bullet. Later, he was declared dead at Sreepur Upazila Health Complex, Kamruzzaman added.

A foreign-made pistol, six shotguns and a one-shooter gun were recovered from the spot of the incident. There are 11 cases filed against Masud including arms-related cases with different police stations, said Liakot Ali, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sreepur Police Station.

The body has been sent to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College for autopsy.

In Narayanganj Sadar upazila, a team of Rab-11 conducted a raid in Syedpur area around 4:00am based on the information given by Tuhin who was arrested from Cumilla’s Rosulpur area around 1:00 am, said Major Talukdar Nazmus Sakib, deputy- commander of Rab-11.

Tuhin’s cohorts opened fire when the Rab team reached the spot forcing them to fired shot, triggering the “gunfight”, claimed Major Talukdar.

Tuhin, an accused in different cases including three murders, was found shot when his cohorts managed to flee the scene, leaving him behind.

He was declared dead after being taken to Narayanganj General Hospital.

A foreign-made gun and a machete were recovered from the spot.