Magura: The ringleader of an inter-district robber gang was killed in a ‘gunfight’ between his cohorts and police on the Magura-Jessore road in Mugirdal of Sadar upazila early Saturday.

The deceased was Rafiqul Islam alias Moazzem, 37, son of Atik Sardar of Deuli village in Satkhira.

On information that 10-12 armed robbers were taking preparation to commit robbery on vehicles on the Magura-Jessore road by placing logs on the road, a team of police conducted a drive in the area at about 2:00am, said Munshi Asaduzzaman, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the robbers opened fire to police, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate, triggering a gunfight.

During the gunfight, Rafiqul was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot while the others managed to flee.

Four police constables also sustained bullet injuries during the incident, said the OC. They were admitted to sadar hospital.

Police recovered a rifle, two rounds of bullet, five crude bombs and some sharp weapons from the spot.

Sudarshan Kumar Roy, assistant superintendent of Magura police, confirmed the incident.