The deceased, Ratan Mridha, 40, was the second-in-command of notorious "Tera Shajahan" gang. He was wanted in nine cases including two for murder.

Rab sources said they arrested Ratan and two other criminals--Ripon and Dulal--at Hotel Metropolitan at Gulistan in the capital on Saturday and took them to Barisal the following day for quizzing.

On the statements of the arrestees, a RAB team took Ratan to C & B road area of Barisal city at around 3:30am yesterday to arrest his accomplices and recover the hidden firearms.

Sensing the presence of the Rab team, Ratan's cohorts opened fire, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate.

According to Rab, Ratan received bullets during the "shootout" and died on the spot.

One gun and two cartridges were recovered from the spot.