Khulna: A suspected leader of a pirate gang was killed in a reported gunfight between his cohorts and members of Rapid Action Battalion RAB at Phultala in Koyra upazila of Khulna on Friday morning.

The deceased is Abu Bakar Sardar alias Bakkar, in his late thirites, the ringleader of ‘Saizza Bahini’.

RAB 6 Commanding Officer Rafiqul Islam said being tipped off, a team of RAB-6 conducted a drive in the area at about 8:00am to arrest pirates.

Sensing the presence of the elite force, the pirates opened fire to RAB members, prompting them to retaliate, triggering a gunfight.

Abu Bakar was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot.

A gun, a rifle, two sharp weapons and 10 cartridges were recovered from the spot.