An alleged criminal and two Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami activists were  killed in separate ‘gunfights’ with police at Uttar Rampura village in sadar Dakshin upazila and  at Ludua village in Nangolkot upazila in Comilla early Sunday.
The victims were Swapan Miah Prokash alias Kala Swapan, 37, a resident of Bhatpara area of the upazila, Belayet Hossain, 45, and Billal Hossain, 28, residents of Bam village of the upazila, reports UNB.
Earlier on Saturday, police had arrested Swapan who was accused in 23 cases, including for a murder.
After interrogation, police conducted a drive at the village along with Swapan to recover firearms at about 1:30 am.
When the law-enforcers reached the area, cohorts of Swapan opened fire at them, prompting them to retaliate, triggering a gunfight.
Swapan was caught in the line of fire while the others managed to flee the scene.
Later he succumbed to his injuries at Comilla Medical College Hospital at about 3:30am.
Prosanto Pal, officer-in-charge of Sadar Dakhsin Police station, said five police members also received bullet wounds during the gunfight.
In the other incident, a patrol team of police challenged a group of criminals in the area at about 2:30am, said Sheikh Salauddin Ahmed, of Nangolkot Police station inspector.
At one stage, the criminals opened fire at the law enforcers, prompting them to retaliate, triggering a gunfight.
Belayet and Billal, Jamaat-e-Islami activists sustained bullet injuries on the hand and leg.
Police arrested them while the others managed to flee.
Later police recovered one petrol bomb and 12 crude bombs from the spot.
Police also claimed that three police members, including officer-in-charge of the police station, were injured during the gunfight.