Rangpur: A suspected drug trader was killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Radhakrishnapur Ghaghotpara in the city early Friday.

The deceased was identified as Shawkat Ali Ghughu, 33, a resident of Deudoba Dangirpara area of the city, reports the UNB.

Acting on secret information that a gang of drug pedllers were trading drugs, a team of RAB-13 conducted a drive in the area around 3:00am, said Kahndaker Golam Mortuza, a media wing member of RAB-13.

Sensing the presence of the elite force, the criminals opened fire on them, forcing the RAB troops to fire back in self-defence.

At one stage, the RAB personnel recovered the bullet-hit body of Shawkat while the others managed to flee the scene.

Shawkat was wanted in 13 criminal cases, including that of drugs and robbery, said RAB. He is also a listed robber of the area.

Huge drugs and firearms were recovered from the spot, Mortuza said.