Chittagong: Three suspected robbers were killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Nijampur on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway in Mirersorai upazila of Chittagong early on Saturday.

Identities of the deceased could not be confirmed.

Assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Chandan Debnath, who is also the assistant director of RAB-7, said on a tip-off that a gang of robbers was taking preparation to commit robbery in the area by placing logs on the highway, a team of the elite force launched a drive there at about 3:00am.

Sensing the presence of the RAB members, the robbers opened fire at them, prompting the elite force to retaliate that triggered a gunfight.

Three members of the robber gang were caught in the line of fire and injured while other members of the gang managed to flee from the scene.

The injured were taken to the upazila health complex where doctors declared them dead.

Two RAB members were also injured during the gunfight.

The RAB members also recovered two shooter guns and three foreign pistols from the scene.