An alleged drug peddler has been killed in Cumilla’s Sadar South Upazila in what the police described as a shootout.

The incident took place in front of Mill Gate at the Hossainpur-Lalmoti road in the upazila’s North Bijoypur area around 2.30am on Tuesday (Jun 11), said police.

The deceased has been identified as 26-year-old Bappi alias Rajib who police claimed was accused in 11 drug-related cases.

“Police conducted an anti-drug raid in the area around 2.30am on Monday. Sensing the presence of law enforcing men, Bappi and his cohorts opened fire on police, prompting them to fire back which triggered the shootout,” said Sadar South police Inspector Kamal Krishna Dhar.

“Bappi was caught in the cross firing and was taken to Cumilla Medical College Hospital where the doctor declared him dead,” said Inspector Dhar.

“Two machetes and 1,200 yaba tablets were seized from the scene,” he said.

Three policemen were also injured in the incident, added the inspector.