Khulna: The 'ringleader' of a forest robber gang was killed in a reported gunfight with police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members in the Sundarbans at Hodda canal in Paikgachcha upazila of Khulna on Saturday.

The deceased was Robiul Islam Robi, 30, chief of notorious forest robber gang ' Robiul Bahini' and son of Mizanur Rahman Shana of Burigoalini of Satkhira district.

Being tipped off that a gang of robbers was gathering in the area, a joint team of Rab-6 and Paikgachcha Police Station launched a drive in the area at about 12:45pm, said Lt Commander of the Rab-6 AMM Zahidul Kabir.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the robbers opened fire on them, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate, which triggered a gunfight.

After 30 minutes of gunfight, the gang members fled the scene.

Later, the law enforcers arrested bullet-hit Robiul from deep forest and took him to Paikgachcha Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead.

They also recovered one single barrel foreign gun, one point 22 bore rifle, one pipe gun, one short gun and 42 rounds of bullets and one machete from the spot.