An alleged drug peddler was killed in "gunfight" with the members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Patuakhali town early today.

Dead Tariqul Islam Taru, 30, was listed criminal and drug trader accused in at least 10 criminal cases, reports our local correspondent.

A patrol team of Rab encountered a group of 10-12 criminals in Bisic area around 4:00am, said Tariqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Patuakhali Police Station.

"The criminals opened fire. The law enforcers were forced to fire back. After the battle subsided, Taru was found lying dead on the spot," he said.

Rab claimed to have recovered two pistols, two locally-made light guns, 20 rounds of bullets and over 600 bottles of contraband phensidyl from the spot.

Taru's family alleged that he was missing since July 17 and Rab cooked up the gunfight story after picking him up.  However, Rab refuted the allegation.

"My husband was shot dead. There was no gunfight," Rekha Begum, wife of the deceased, while weeping at the hospital morgue where the body of Taru had been kept.