Two suspected drug dealers were killed in an alleged gunfight with police in Khulna’s Bagmara, early on Wednesday.
The deceased were identified as Raju and Manik Sheikh.
Khulna sadar police station’s Sub-Inspector (SI) Suvendu said they detained the duo on Tuesday morning following a tip-off.
Based on their information, police conducted a drive in the Bagmara bankers’ lane area along with them in the early hours of Wednesday, he said.
As they reached the location, law enforcers faced gunfire. Police fired back in retaliation, which triggered a gun battle, the SI further said.
Police found the two bodies on the spot while the others fled.
Five policemen, injured during the shootout, are now undergoing treatment at the Khulna Medical College Hospital.
Police recovered a pipe gun, two rounds of bullet, 150 yaba pills, two machetes, and two daggers from the scene, Suvendu said.
The two alleged drug dealers were accused in five cases including murder, drug peddling, and extortion charges, the SI added.
The government launched a countrywide crackdown on drug dealers since early May. So far, scores of people have been killed in the "gunfights" and hundreds arrested during the drives.
