The dead was identified as Mokbul Hossain, 35, son of Lokman Hossain of Gargari village of the upazila.

Acting on a tip-off that some drug peddlers were holding a secret meeting at a house of the village, Rab personnel conducted a drive at around 2:30am.

Sensing the presence of the Rab men, the drug peddlers opened fire, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate.

Rab sources said Mokbul received bullets during the "shootout" and died instantly, while his accomplices managed to flee.

Later, the elite force arrested another drug peddler named Liton at the village and recovered 370 bottles of Phensidyl syrup and a shotgun from his possession.