They are Noor Islam alias Gama, regional leader of outlawed Gono Mukti Fouj (GMF) in Kushtia, and Ziaur Rahman Shaikh, a leader of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-Janajuddho) in Khulna.

Our Kushtia correspondent reported that Noor Islam alias Gama, 38, son of Chand Ali of Cheuria village under Sadar upazila, was killed in an encounter with Rab at village Chargopalpur under the upazila at about 3:30am.

Acting on a tip-off that Gama was staying at the house of one Shorab Ali at Chargopalpur, 8 kilometres off the district headquarters, Rab-6 members went to the village and cordoned off the house.

When the Rab men asked the inmates of the house to surrender, four members, including housemaster Shorab, came out of the house. But the outlaw refused to surrender and at one stage opened fire on the members of the elite, forcing them to retaliate.

Rab sources said Gama received bullets in his chest, head and abdomen during the shootout and died instantly.

Rab retrieved one Ak47 rifle, one revolver and 120 bullets from inside a room of the house. They (Rab) said Gama used the assault rifle during the shootout.

Police said Gama was an accused in 14 cases including nine for murder filed with Kushtia Sadar, Kumarkhali and Khoksa police stations.

Our staff correspondent from Khulna adds: PBCP leader Ziaur Rahman Shaikh was killed during a "shootout" between his cohorts and Rab members at Daunia under Batiaghati upazila of the district at 3:00am.

The law enforcers arrested Zia in Bagmara area of Rupsha upazila on Thursday night.

On his statement, Rab men along with Zia set out for Daunia at about 2:30am to arrest his accomplices and recover the hidden firearms. When they reached the village, the accomplices of the PBCP leader opened fire, prompting the elite force to return fire.

According to Rab press release, Zia received bullets as he tried to flee and died on the spot. He was wanted in several criminal cases, the release added.

One pistol, one pipe gun and three cartridges were recovered from the spot.

Rab further mentioned in the press release that Zia was directly involved in looting rifles from Ansars on duty at Sundarban seafoods Ltd in Rupsha upazila in February, 2003.