An Ansar member was killed and seven people including a magistrate were hurt in what local authorities claimed a “shootout” during a drive against drug peddlers in Feni last night.

Mir Naoshad Ali, 40, a lance nayek of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), died on the spot after he was hit by a bullet in between 9:30pm yesterday and 12:30am today, a Feni correspondent reports quoting Kisinger Chakma, Fulgazi upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) this morning.

Shohel Rana, the magistrate of a mobile court, was chopped by the alleged drug peddlers during the clash. Rana is now taking treatment at Feni Sadar hospital, the UNO said.

The criminals also abducted a police informant, Sumon, and took away the firearms of the dead Ansar member, he said.

The six other injured were admitted to different local hospitals, the correspondent said.    

The UNO confirmed that the mobile court led by the magistrate came under the attack while conducting a drive against illegal drugs at bordering Badarpur village.

The drug peddlers took position at Khanabari on the Indian side of the border, the UNO claimed.

Later, the district administration informed the matter to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security force (BSF) of India, he added.

A flag meeting between BGB and BSF may take place later in the day, he said.