Munshiganj: The prime accused in freethinking writer and publisher Shahjahan Bachchu murder case was killed in a reported gunfight with police at Khashmahal Baluchar in Sirajdikhan upazila early Thursday.

The deceased is Abdur Rahman, 34, a member of banned militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

Inspector Nazrul Islam of Special Branch said a team of police arrested Abdur Rahman from Gazipur on Sunday.

Later, police along with Abdur Rahman conducted a drive in Sirajdikhan upazila to arrest his associates in the midnight.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the criminals opened fire to police, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate in self-defence around 1 am.

At one stage, police recovered the body of Abdur Rahman while the others managed to flee the scene, police said.

Three policemen were injured during the ‘gunfight’.

Hand Grenade, firearms and the motorbike which was used in the killing were recovered from the spot.

Shahjahan Bachchu, 60, an outspoken proponent of secular principles and owner of a publishing house ‘Bishaka Prokashoni’, was gunned down in his ancestral village Kakaldi in the district on June 11 evening.