The dead was identified as Kata alias Rajbabbar, 40, son of Notun Mia, of the same village.

According a Rab 12 press release, Rab arrested Kata from his house on Saturday night and took him in custody for interrogation where he confessed to having firearms hidden in different areas.

Later, Rab took him along to Ratulpara to retrieve the firearms.

As soon as the law enforcers reached the village at around 9:30am, NBCP outlaws opened fire on them. Rab returned fire that triggered a half-hour long gunfight.

Kata was shot during the shootout while trying to escape and died on the spot, claimed Rab.

Rab retrieved a firearm and 15 bullets from the spot.

According to police, Kata was a close associate of notorious NBCP leader Akdil Hossain and accused in different cases including four for murder .

A total of 127 alleged criminals, highest across the country, have been killed in shootouts in Kushtia since June 2004.