An alleged drug peddler has been killed in Cox’s Bazar in what the police described as shootout.

The incident was reported early on Thursday (Jul 11) from Negurbil area in the dictrict’s Teknaf Upazila, said police.

The deceased has been identified as 36-year-old Abdul Malek, who police claimed a yaba trader.

“Acting on a tip-off, police conducted a drive in the area to recover illegal weapons and yaba tablets. As soon as police reached at the spot, a group of drug peddlers opened fire on the law enforcers, prompting them to fire back in self defense triggering the shootout,” Teknaf police OC Pradip Kumar Das.

“Malek was shot in line of cross firing. He was rushed to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex where he was referred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital as his condition worsened. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital,” said OC Das.

“Three police members were also injured in the shootout,” added the OC.

The body has been kept at the hospital for autopsy.

Police have seized two locally made firearms, 21 bullet shells and 5,000 yaba tablets from the scene.