A suspected drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab in Rajshahi early yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Hasibul Hossain, 37, son of Aftab Hossain of Sonaikandi area of the district.

In a press release, Rab claimed that Hasibul was one of the top drug peddlers in the area and was accused in seven drugs-related cases.

It claimed that the “gunfight” took place when a team of Rab's Mollapara camp conducted a drive in Kornohar area around 1:00am.

“Sensing the presence of the elite force, the criminals opened fire on them, forcing them to reiterate,” the release said, adding that later the law enforcers found Hasibul bullet-hit and took him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

During the “gunfight”, two Rab members were also injured, it claimed, adding, “A pistol, two bullets and 74 bottles of phensidyl were recovered from the scene”.

With Hasibul, at least 236 alleged drug traders and peddlers have been killed since the anti-narcotics drive began on May 4. Most of them were killed in so-called shootouts involving police and Rab.

WHAT HASIBUL'S WIFE SAYS

Hasibul's wife Anwara Begum suspects that her husband was killed after he had been arrested.

Talking to this correspondent, Anwara said plainclothes law enforcers in several motorcycles and a white microbus picked up Hasibul from Muraripur area on Wednesday evening.

“Locals called me to inform that the law enforcers picked up my husband,” she said.

Anwara went to Damkura police and was told that they did not know anything.

She said Hasibul was engaged in drug peddling for many years but left the illegal trade two years ago.

“Police arrested him many times. Two years ago, some locals beat him up for drug peddling and broke his hands and legs. He quit the illegal trade right there,” she said.