Two suspected members of the banned militant outfit, Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), were killed in a "gunfight" in Madhupur upazila of Tangail early today.

Primarily police suspect that the duo were active members of JMB and were out to carry out sabotage in the upazila, said Ashok Kumar Singha, inspector of Detective Branch of Tangail police.

But the names of the deceased could not be known immediately.

Based on intelligence of possible militant attacks on churches in Madhupur area, police and Special Task Force (SPG) members jointly set up a security check post in Telki area on Tangail-Mymensingh highway, Superintendent of Police in Tangail Mahabubul Alam told The Daily Star over mobile phone.

Around 4:00am, two youths on a motorbike tried to speed away after police signaled them to stop, the SP said.

The duo then passed through the check post and opened fire targeting the law-enforcers, prompting them to retaliate with gunfire which left the two dead on the spot, the SP claimed.

A police constable was also injured as bullet hit him piercing his bullet-proof vest, the official added.

One motorcycle, two machetes, a revolver loaded with three bullets and a cartridge were recovered from the spot, said the SP.