An alleged ringleader of a pirate gang was killed in a ‘gunfight’ with police in Tiyakhal area adjacent to the Sonamukhi river in Koyra upazila of Khulna on early Sunday.

The deceased is identified as Rabiul Islam, 24, a resident of Mohoratpur village of the upazila, reports UNB.

Koyra Police Station Officer-in-charge Sheikh Shamsur Ali said on secret information, a team of police arrested Rabiul from Rathghat area of the upazila on Saturday afternoon.

After gleaning information from Rabiul, police conducted another drive in Tiyakhal area at about 11:00pm along with him to recover firearms.

When they reached the spot at about 4:00am, associates of Rabiul attacked police and opened fire on them which left Rabiul dead on the spot.

Police also recovered eight firems, some bullets and two machetes from the spot.

The OC added Rabiul was accused in eight cases, including for robbery and abduction, with the police stations.