An alleged drug peddler has been killed in Cox’s Bazar in what the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) described as a shootout.

The incident was reported from Teknaf Upazila’s Boro Habirchhara in the early hours of Tuesday (Dec 24), confirmed RAB-15 chief Mirza Shahed Mahatab.

The deceased has been identified as 22-year-old Md Rubel who RAB claims was a listed arms trader and a member of a robber ring.

“Acting on a tip-off, RAB conducted a raid the area in the early hours of Tuesday. As soon as the law enforcers reached the spot, a group of drug peddlers opened fire on them,” Mahatab said. 

“RAB fired back in self defence and after four to five minutes of shooting the drug peddlers escaped,” he added.

Mahtab said that Rubel’s bullet-ridden body was recovered from the scene and sent to Teknaf Upazila Hospital and then referred him to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital where the doctors declared him dead.