Two suspected drug traders were killed in reported gunfights with police and members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Kushtia and Chapainawabganj districts early Saturday.

 In Kushtia, Shamsuddin Syam, 38, son of late Tobarok Miah of Khemirdiyar in the upazila, and wanted in eight drug-related cases, was killed in a reported gunfight with police at Bakapool in Bheramara upazila, reports the UNB.

On information that a gang of robbers gathered for drug trading, police conducted a drive in the area around 3:00am, said Aminul Islam, officer-in-charge of Bheramara Police Station.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the ‘drug traders’ opened fire on them, forcing police to retaliate that triggered a gunfight, he said.

The gunfight left Shamdsuddin injured with bullet. He was then taken to Bheramara Health Complex where doctors declared him dead.

In Chapainawabganj, a suspected unidentified drug trader was killed in what was said to be a gunfight with Rab at Mollan Maath in Sundarpur of Sadar upazila around 1:30am.

The elite force later recovered a pistol, four bullets, 1 magazine and 117 bottles of Phensidyl from the spot.

Four Rab members were also injured, said Syed Abdullah Al Murad, camp commander of Rab-5.

 With the latest deaths, at least 146 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.