Three suspected drug traders were killed in reported gunfights in Chittagong and Comilla early today.

In Chittagong, Two suspected drug peddlers were killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Moti Jharna in the city's Khulshi area early today, reports our Chittagong correspondent.

The deceased could not be identified immediately.

Tipped off, a team of Rab-7 conducted a drive in the area and challenged a microbus around 1:30am, said Assistant Superintendent of Chittagong Police Mimtanur Rahman of Rab-7.

When the elite force members encircled the microbus, the criminals opened fire on the law enforcers forcing them to retaliate in self-defence.

After a brief ‘gunfight’, the Rab members recovered the bodies of two criminals.

Two Rab members were slightly injured in the incident.

The elite force recovered 85 kilogrammes of hemp, one firearm and five shells of bullets from the spot.

In Comilla, a listed 'drug trader' was killed in a reported gunfight with police on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Daudkandi upazila around 1:30am.

The deceased was identified as Khorshed Alam alias Kana Khorshed, 48, son of late Siddikur Rahman of Ganganagar area of Debidwar upazila, reports our Comilla correspondent.

Acting on information that a huge consignment of drugs in a private car was entering the district, a team of police conducted a drive near Hasanpur Government College, said Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi Police Station.

When police gave a signal to the private car, Khorshed and his associates opened fire on the law enforcers, prompting them to take action.

Later, Khorshed's body was recovered from the spot. Police also recovered 80 kilogrammes of hemp and firearms from the spot.

Khorshed was wanted in 13 criminal cases, including that of drugs, with different police stations in Dhaka, Comilla and Narayanganj districts, the OC said.

With the latest deaths, at least 144 people were killed in 'gunfights' with members of law enforcement agencies while 37 bodies of suspected drug traders were recovered after reported gun battles between rival groups during the countrywide anti-narcotic drives since May 15.