An accused in a case filed in connection with the rape of an eight-year-old girl was killed in a reported gunfight with members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Kholadanga Mandalgati in Sadar upazila early yesterday. The deceased was identified as Alamin alias Babu, 25, the son of the late Abu Kalam of Kholadanga village in the upazila. On receiving a tip that a gang of criminals was staying at Kholadanga Mandalgati, a RAB-6 team led by the commander of its Jashore camp, Maj Md Ziaur Rahman, and assistant superintendent of police Sohel  Parvez conducted a drive there around 2:45am, said RAB sources.

Sensing RAB presence, the criminals opened fire on them, prompting them to retaliate, which triggered a gunfight. After the gunbattle, which lasted for some 20 minutes, RAB members found the bullet-hit Alamin lying on the ground. He was taken to Jashore Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.  Two RAB members were also injured in the gunfight, the sources said, adding that a shooter gun, a bullet and a knife were recovered from the spot.