An alleged 'robber' in the southern district of Patuakhali has died in what the law enforcers describe as a ‘shootout’.

The dead man has been identified as Chan Mia Howlader, 42, a leader of an 'inter-district gang of robbers', police said.

He had been sentenced to 10 years in prison in a robbery case with Barguna Sadar Police Station. He was implicated in 30 more cases relating to murder, robbery and other crimes, according to the police.

Officer-in- charge of Patuakhali Sadar police station Mostafizur Rahman said that the shooting incident happened late on Friday night in the district town’s Kalikapur area.

He said that a team was patrolling the Kuakata-Patuakhali Highway near Ballavpur area.

 “A group of armed men opened fire sensing our presence, which forced us to retaliate,” said the police official. “Chan Miah’s body was found on the spot after the others fled.”

 He claimed one locally-made gun, six rounds of live ammunition and seven locally-made machetes, were recovered from the scene.