The dead were identified as Ainal Haque, 35, an activist of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-Lal Pataka), in Chatmoher upazila of Pabna, and Miraj, 30, of Joynagar village in Sadar upazila of Bhola.

According to our Pabna correspondent, a team of Rab-12 cordoned off Khotbari Primary School premise in Chatmoher upazila where Ainal and his accomplices were holding a meeting at around 10:00pm.

Sensing the presence of the Rab men, the outlaws opened fire on the law enforcers, prompting them to retaliate.

Rab sources said Ainal received bullets during the "shootout" and died instantly, while his accomplices managed to flee. He was an accused in seven cases including four for murder, the sources added.

Rab recovered a rifle, and two bullets from the spot.

In Pabna, notorious robber Miraj was killed in an encounter with Rab at Bangla Bazar in Sadar upazila early yesterday, according to the UNB.

Acting on a tip-off, the members of the elite force set out for Bangla Bazar where Miraz and his cohorts were assembling firearms.

When the Rab men reached there at about 3:00am, the robbers opened fire.

The law enforcers returned fire.

Rab sources said Miraj was shot during the gunfight and died on the spot. He was wanted in a number of cases, the sources added.

A shutter gun and three bullets were recovered from the scene.