Two alleged drug peddlers have been killed in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf Upazila in what the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) described as a shootout.

The incident took place early on Wednesday (Jan 15) on the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive in the upazila’s Shamlapur area, said RAB.

The deceased have been identified as 30-year-old Abul Hashim and 24-year-old Mohammad Aiyub.

“Being tipped off about the arrival of a consignment of yaba tablets, RAB conducted a raid in the area. As soon as the RAB team reached the area, a group of yaba peddlers opened fire on them who in turn retaliated in self defence,” said ASP Shah Alam, squadron commander of the RAB's Howaikyang Camp.

“Two people were shot in the incident and were rushed to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex where the doctor declared them dead,” said ASP Alam.

RAB seized 10,000 yaba tablets, two fireamrs and five rounds of ammunition from the spot, he said.

The bodies have been sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

The senior elite police officer added that three RAB members were also injured in the incident.