Bagerhat: Leader of a forest robber gang was killed in a reported gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members in Shailo Khal area of the Sundarbans on Monday morning.

The deceased is Mokter Molla, second-in-command of notorious forest robber gang ‘Liton Bahini’, claimed RAB.

Lieutenant Colonel Anwaruzzaman, commanding officer of RAB-8 in Barisal, said a RAB team conducted a drive in the area under Sharankhola range of Sundarbans east division on Sunday night, following information about the den of sea robber gang ‘Liton Bahini’ in Bagerhat.

‘Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the gang members opened fire on them around 8:15am on Monday, forcing the elite force to retaliate that triggered a gunfight. Several gunshots were traded between the criminals and RAB team during the 35-minute fight.’

Later, the law enforcers found bullet-hit body of Mokter on the spot while other gang members managed to flee the scene.

The elite force busted the den of robber gang and also recovered some 21 local and foreign made firearms, 37 bullets and daily essentials, Anwaruzzaman added.