Mongla: Four suspected pirates were killed in a reported gunfight with law enforcers in the Kachikhali-Chandeshwar area of Sharankhali range at the eastern part of Sundarban early on Thursday.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) 8 commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Faridul Alam said four members including the leader of a pirate gang locally known as Nayan Bahini were killed during a gunfight with RAB and Coastguard.

The RAB official said tipped off that members of Nayan Bahini were taking preparation to commit a robbery in the area, a joint team of RAB and Coast Guard launched a drive there.

The team reached Kachikhali Chandeshwar area at about 6:30am.

Sensing the presence of the joint team members, the pirates opened fire at them prompting the team members to fire back, triggering a gunfight.

The pirates managed to flee from the scene.

Later, the joint team members recovered the bodies of Manir, commander of Nayan Bahini, Enam, deputy commander of the gang, and its two members Gias and Hachan.

RAB and Coast Guard members also recovered 18 firearms, 450 bullets, sharp weapons, SIM cards of Indian telecom companies, and mobile phone set from the spot.