An alleged drug peddler has been killed in a reported shootout with police in Birampur upazila of Dinajpur.

The incident took place in Mirpur area under Birampur municipality early Tuesday (Mar 31).

The identity of the deceased man could not be confirmed immediately.

Three police personnel were injured in the shootout, police claimed.

Birampur police OC Md Moniruzzaman said: "Acting on a tip-off that a group of drug dealers is bringing a consignment of phensedyl to Bangladesh from India, a team of police led by me conducted a drive in the Mirpur area around 2:30am.

"Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the drug peddlers opened fire on police, prompting them to retaliate in self-defence, that triggered a gunfight," he said.

Police fired blanks and at one stage the drug dealers retreated from the spot, he continued.

After searching the spot, the law enforcers found one of the drug peddlers with bullet wounds.

He was taken to Birampur Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty physician declared him dead, the OC said.

Three police members -- Assistant Sub-Inspectors Shahjahan and Niranjan, and Constable Delwar -- got injured in the shootout and they were sent to Police Lines Hospital in Dinajpur, he said.

Police recovered 100 bottles of phensedyl, a locally made gun, three bullets, and sharp weapons from the spot.

A case will be filed in this connection, the OC added.