Acting on a tip-off, Rab-6 members arrested Mohammad Aslam Biswas, 35, son of Afzal Biswas of village Armukhi under the upazila, near Bhagutia Baniabaha Bridge at midnight on Monday and took him to Rab office for quizzing.

On his confessional statement, the Rab men along with Aslam set out for Bhagutia Baniabaha area at about 3:00am to arrest Aslam's cohorts and recover firearms.

When they reached near the Bridge, Aslam's accomplices opened fire on the members of the elite force, prompting them to retaliate.

According to a Rab press release, Aslam received bullets during the "shootout" that continued for 15 minutes and died instantly.

A shutter gun, five bullets and an axe were recovered from the spot.