A suspected drug trafficker has been killed in Mymensingh in what the Detective Branch (DB) of the local police described as a shootout.

The incident occurred in the city’s Nizam Nagar around 1.30 am on Sunday, according to DB Inspector Shah Kamal Akhanda.

The victim, identified as 24-year-old Sajal Mia and a resident of Mymensingh city's Khrishtopur, was involved in mugging and drug peddling, according to police.

The shootout erupted during a raid conducted on a tip-off that drug peddlers were gathering in Nizam Nagar, said Inspector Akhanda. "Sensing presence of law enforcers, the drug peddlers opened fire forcing the police to retaliate. At one point, the drug peddlers fled, leaving a wounded Sajal behind."

He was rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where the doctors declared him dead, said the police officer.

Sajal’s family, however, claimed he was picked up by men identifying them as DB personnel three days ago.

“He was taken away on the night of Thursday. We later went to the DB office, but they couldn’t tell us anything,” his wife Azeda said.

DB Inspector Akhanda dismissed the allegation.