Dhaka: Three suspected drug traders were killed in reported gunfights in Chattogram and Cumilla on early Friday.

In Chattogram, Two suspected drug peddlers were killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Motijharna in the city’s Khulshi area early Friday, reports the UNB.

The deceased could not be identified yet.

Tipped off, a team of RAB-7 conducted a drive in the area and challenged a microbus around 1:30am, said assistant superintendent of Chattogram Police Mimtanur Rahman of RAB-7.

When the elite force members encircled the microbus, the criminals opened fire on the law enforcers forcing them to fire back in self-defence.

After a brief gunfight, the RAB members recovered the bodies of two criminals.

Two RAB members were slightly injured in the incident.

The elite force recovered 85 kgs of hemp, one firearm and five shells of bullets from the spot.

In Cumilla, Khorshed Alam alias Kana Khorshed, 48, a listed ‘drug trader’ and son of Siddiqur Rahman of Debidwar upazila, was killed in a reported gunfight with police on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Daudkandi upazila around 1:30am.

Acting on information that a huge consignment of drugs in a private car is entering the district, a team of police conducted a drive near Hasanpur Government College, said Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi Police Station.

When police gave a signal to the private car, Khorshed and his associates opened fire on the law enforcers, prompting them to take action.

Later, Khorshed’s body was recovered from the spot. Police also recovered 80 kgs of hemp and firearms from the spot.

Khorshed was wanted in 13 criminal cases, including that of drugs, the OC said.

With the latest deaths, at least 144 people were killed in ‘gunfights’ with members of law enforcement agencies while 37 bodies of suspected drug traders were recovered after reported gun battles between rival groups during the countrywide anti-narcotic drives since 15 May.