Three suspected pirates, including their ringleader, were killed in a ‘shootout’ with police in Char Majid area of Surbarnachar upazila in Noakhali early on Friday.
Five police personnel were also injured in the gun fight.
The deceased were identified as Kalu, 42, ringleader of notorious pirate gang ‘Kalu Bahini’, and his two cohorts Ripon, 35, and Rubel, 37.
Superintendent of Police of the district Anisur Rahman said they had come to know that a gang of pirates had been taking preparation to commit robbery in Char Majid area of Surbarnachar, reports UNB.
On the basis of the information, a team of police conducted a drive in the area at 12 noon.
Sensing the presence of police, the pirates opened fire on the law enforcers forcing them to fire back, triggering a gunfight, leaving Kalu and his two associates dead on the spot.
Later, police recovered the bodies and sent those to Noakhali Medical College Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.
The gunfight also left five policemen injured.
Kalu was wanted in several cases, including for murder, kidnap and extortion, said police sources.
A shooter gun, two rounds of bullet, three cartridges, one rocket launcher and three sharp weapons were recovered from the scene.