An alleged robber gang leader was killed in a "gunfight" between his cohorts and Rapid Action Battalion in Chandpai range of the Sundarbans East Zone yesterday.

The dead, Alam Khan, 45, was the chief of a robber gang named after him, according to Rab.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of the elite force raided different spots in the Shela river around 6:00am to nab the gang members, said Lt Col Faridul Alam, commander of Rab-8.

When the Rab members reached near Tetulbaria canal, the criminals opened fire on them. The elite force members then returned fire that triggered the "gunfight", said the Rab official.

After the gun battle, the Rab members found Alam's body lying on the spot. The other criminals managed to flee.

His body was sent to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Rab also claimed to have recovered 12 firearms, bullets and several sharp weapons from the spot.