A suspected drug dealer was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab members in Keshabpur village of Joypurhat's Panchbibi upazila early yesterday.

The dead -- Sohel Rana, 42, son of Solaiman Ali of Uttar Gopalpur village in Panchbibi -- was accused in 10 cases, said Assistant Superintendent of Police Azman Hossain, also the camp commander of Rab in Joypurhat.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of the elite force conducted a drive in Keshubpur village around 2:00am to prevent a drug deal, claimed Azman.

Sensing their presence, a group of four to five drug dealers opened fire on the law enforcers, forcing them to retaliate, Azman added.

Rab later rescued Sohel with bullet injuries and sent him to Panchbibi Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead, he claimed.

However, The Daily Star could not independently verify the law enforcer's claim.

The body was handed over to his family members after autopsy.

Rab also claimed to have recovered a pistol, one round bullet, a magazine and 60 bottles of phensedyl from the spot.

With this, around suspected 286 drug dealers or peddlers were killed in “gunfights” with police or Rab since the anti-narcotics drive started last year.