Three suspected forest robbers were killed in a 'gunfight' with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Sukhpara Char area under Swarankhola range of the Sundarbans yesterday morning, reports UNB. The deceased were identified as Md Jakaria Sarder, 30, Md Julfikar Sheikh, 35, and Md Khokon Mina, 43. Based on information that members of a pirate gang 'Sumon Bahini' were staying in the area, a team of the elite force started to carry out drive in the Sundarbans Wednesday night, said Major Sohel Rana Prince, company commander of Rab-8 in Barisal. During the drive, the Rab members challenged a gang over their suspicious movement around 8:30am on Thursday in the area.

Sensing the danger, the gang members opened fire on the Rab members, forcing them to retaliate that triggered a gunfight around 8:40 am, he said.

Several gunshots were traded between the pirate gang and the Rab members during the 40-minute gun battle. Three robbers were caught in the line of fire and died on the spot, said the Rab commander. The Rab team also recovered two single barrel guns, one rifle, one pipe gun, four sharp weapons and 39 rounds of bullets from the spot. The robber and pirate gangs of the Sundarbans abducted at least 35 fishermen for ransom in last two months, said a Rab press release.