An alleged drug peddler was killed as police opened fire in self-defence after the “criminals” hurled crude bombs on them at Export Processing Zone of Pabna’s Ishwardi upazila early today.

Deceased Alia Bhulu, 40, resident of Fateh Mohammadpur village in the upazila, was accused of several criminal cases, our Pabna correspondent reports quoting police.

A police team trying to halt at least six criminals on a road at EPZ around 3:00am suspecting their movement, said Goutam Kumar, additional superintendent of Pabna police.

But the criminals riding three motorbikes hurled bombs on the law enforcers, Additional SP Goutam said.

Police opened fire in self defence, leaving Alia Bhulu injured while others fled the scene, the police official added.

The victim was taken to Pabna General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 4:00am.

Five policemen received minor injuries during the attack carried out by the criminals, Additional SP Goutam said.

Police, however, did not confirm the names of the injured policemen. 

The law enforcers recovered three bullets and a motorbike from the spot.