The dead were identified as Mohammad Abul Hossain, 24 and Mohammad Shamim, 23, members of outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-Janajuddho) of South Tootpara in Khulna and Sadek Hossain alias Pancha Dakat, a police listed robber in Rangpur.

Our staff correspondent from Khulna says: Abul and Shamim died in an encounter between members of Rab-6 and the PBCP outlaws at about 2:50am on Saturday at Tootpara Barhokhalparh area under Khulna Sadar Police Station. They were arrested at Jorhakhal Bazar at around 9:00am on Friday, says a Rab press release.

At least 31 shots were fired during the 16-minute long gunfight in which two Rab members sustained bullet injuries. The outlaws also exploded bombs, the press release said.

Three cartridges and a few splinters of bombs were recovered from the scene.

The slain outlaws were involved in extortions giving death threats over cellphones. People like high government and non-government officials, doctors, engineers and businessmen, became victims of their silent extortions during the last few months.

Our correspondent from Rangpur reports: Sadek Hossain alias Pancha Dakat, a listed robber, was killed in "crossfire" during a shootout between Rab and a gang of robbers in Mithapukur upazila of the district.

Acting on secret information, a number of Rab personnel cordoned off a house at the Krishna Mondolpara at about 4:00am, where the robbers were planning to rob a house, a Rab-5 press released said.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the robbers opened fire on them to which the Rab responded ensuing a half an hour-long gunfight.

After the robbers fled the scene, Rab personnel found Sadek's body with several bullet injuries. He was rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

Rab also recovered a shutter gun and five round of bullets from his possession.

A listed criminal, Sadek was released from jail two years ago after serving 10 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) for a murder. After that, Sadek, a resident of Nagerhat under Badarganj upazila got involved with different kinds of crimes including cattle lifting and robbery, the press release said.