The dead were identified as Bishu Pramanik, 35, son of Nafeez Pramanik of village Ranigram in Ataikula upazila, and Jamal Uddin, 38, son of Abdur Rashid of village Jalalpur in Pabna Sadar upazila.

Rab sources said Bishu was wanted in ten cases including five for murder, while Jamal in seven cases including three for murder.

Acting on a tip-off, the joint team raided a place at Harinarayanpur village under the upazila at around 6:00pm where Bishu and Jamal were holding a secret meeting with their comrades.

Sensing the presence of the joint team, the outlaws opened fire, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate.

Bishu and Jamal received bullets during the "shootout" and died instantly, the sources said. Two guns and some bullets were recovered from the spot.