The dead was identified as Faruq Hossain Dablu, 42, regional commander of Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP).

Acting on a tip-off, members of the elite force went to a farm at the village where Dablu and his accomplices were holding a secret meeting at about 4:00am.

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

Rab sources said Dablu received bullets during the "shootout" and died instantly, while his cohorts managed to flee.

Dablu was wanted in a number of criminal cases, the sources added. A two-barrel gun and two bullets were recovered from the scene.