Bagerhat: Two suspected forest robbers were killed in a reported gunfight with the members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Tambulbunia area of the Sundarbans under Chandpai Range in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat on Monday morning.

The deceased are as Kashem alias Akash, chief of the forest robber gang ‘Akash Bahini’ and a resident of Sharankhola upazila and its second-in-command Farid alias Maijhya, of Rampal upazila of the district, reports local news agency.

Commander of RAB 8 (Barisal) Lt Col Faridul Alam said tipped off that a gang of forest robbers were taking preparation to commit a robbery in Tambulbunia Khal area, a team of the elite force conducted a drive there at about 7:15am.

As the RAB members reached in the area, the forest robbers opened fire on the elite force, forcing them to retaliate that triggered a gun battle.

After the gunfight that continued for 30 minutes, the robbers fled into the deep forest.

Later, the elite force members recovered the bodies of Akash and Farid from the spot.

They also recovered 17 firearms and 450 rounds of bullets from the spot.