Khulna: Four suspected forest robbers were killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in the Sundarbans under Koyra upazila early Tuesday.

Two of the deceased were identified as gang leader Aminul and his second-in-command Rafiq, the UNB reported.

Tipped-off that some forest robbers took position in the Sundarbans, a team of Rab launched  a drive in the deep forest in between 3am and 5am, said Lt Col Syed Mohammad Nurus Salehin Yusuf, Commander of Rab-6.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the "robbers" opened fire on them, forcing them to retaliate that triggered a brief  gunfight, Salehin said.

Later, the Rab members  recovered four bullet-hit "robbers" and took them to Koyra Upazila Health Complex where doctors  declared them dead, he added.

Salehin also said local fishermen identified Aminul and Rafiq but could not name the two others.