Two suspected drug peddlers were killed in “gunfights” with police in Kushtia and Mymensingh early yesterday.

With these, at least 186 alleged drug peddlers have been killed since the ongoing countrywide anti-narcotics drive began on May 4, with most deaths resulting from so-called shootout incidents involving police and Rab.

The man killed at Haripur village in Kushtia Sadar upazila was identified as Shahar Ali, 38, son of Monwar Box of Mazampur area of Kushtia town.

Nasir Uddin, officer-in-charge of Kushtia Police Station, claimed the “shootout” took place around 3:30am when a police team raided the area on information of a secret meeting of drug peddlers. 

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the criminals opened fire on them, who retaliated, leaving Shahar dead on the spot, the OC said.

Shahar was a listed drug peddler and accused in 11 cases, he added.

Police claimed to have recovered a firearm, three bullets and 500 yaba tablets from the spot.

Elsewhere in Mymensingh, alleged drug peddler Ahsan Ullah Khan Noman, 45, son of late Monjurul Haque Khan, was killed in a “gunfight” in the upazila.

Khandaker Shaker Ahmed, inspector (investigation) of Kotwali Police Station, said the “gunfight” took place around 2:30am. His narrative was almost similar to the one given by police officials at Kushtia.

He claimed police went to the spot upon information and the suspects began to fire on law enforcers, who retaliated.

During the shootout, three “drug peddlers” were injured while Ahsan sustained bullet wounds. He was immediately rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead, Sarker said.

Police claimed to have recovered 450 yaba pills, four used bullets and two knives from the spot.

Ahsan stood accused in 13 drug-related cases, said police.

[Our Kushtia and Mymensingh correspondents contributed to the report.]