An alleged drug dealer was killed in a “gunfight” in Sadar upazila early yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Bachchu Mia, 45, son of Abdur Rahman of Chitalmari village in Sadar upazila.

With this incident, at least 164 suspected drug peddlers have been killed since the anti-narcotics drive began on May 4. Most of the dead were killed in “shootouts” involving police and Rapid Action Battalion.

Police said a team of Detective Branch (DB) of Mymensingh raided Chitalmari area, beside Mymensingh-Kishoreganj Highway on information that a gang was engaged in drug trading.

Md Ashiqur Rahman, officer-in-charge of DB police, Mymensingh, who led the team, said sensing their presence, the drug peddlers threw bricks and fired several rounds of gunshots at them. The law enforcers retaliated, leading to the “gunfight”, he added.

Bachchu Mia sustained bullet wounds during the “gunfight”, said the OC, adding, he was rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Police recovered 200 pieces of yaba pills and four used bullets from the spot.

Bachchu was wanted in some 15 cases related to narcotics, the OC added.

Rupbanu, mother of Bachchu, however, said his son gave up drug trading one year ago, but he used to take drugs sometimes.

Police picked up Bachchu, father of five children, from adjacent Kumuriakanda village on Sunday night and he was traceless since then, his mother added.