A suspected criminal has been killed in a reported gunfight between two groups of drug peddlers in Bochaganj upazila in Dinajpur.

The incident took place in Hatrampur Shalbagan area around 1:30 am on Tuesday (Feb 18).

The deceased is Ayub Ali, 55, a resident of Rail Colony in Bochaganj.

He was accused in 19 cases, including drugs, filed with Bochaganj and other police stations, police said.

Dinajpur district Detective Branch (DB) of Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) ATM Golam Rasul said a team of detectives went on an anti-narcotics drive in the Hatrampur Shalbagan area where they heard gunshots.

"In association with local police, we appeared at the scene."

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the drug traders opened fire on police, prompting them to fire seven rounds of blank shots, the DB official said.

At one stage, the drug peddlers retreated from the scene and the law enforcers found bullet-wounded Ayub lying on the spot, he said.

Ayub was taken to M Abdur Rahim Medical College and Hospital where the on-duty physician declared him dead, he added.

Police recovered a locally-made gun, two bullets, sharp weapons, and 200 pieces of yaba tablet from the spot.

The body was sent to the college morgue for autopsy.