A suspected drug peddler was killed in what police claimed was a tripartite clash involving the law enforcers and two gangs of yaba dealers at Teknaf early yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Hasan Prakash Lalu, 40, said Prodip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station.

He claimed that a team of police was returning to Teknaf after conducting an anti-drug drive in Hnila area when they heard gunshots beside the Naf river in Damdamiya area around 4:30am.

“The team approached the source of the gunshots. Sensing the presence of police, the gangs opened fire on them, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate,” the OC added.

At one stage, the gangs retreated and the body of Lalu, a listed top drug peddler and an associate of infamous robber Abdul Hamid, was found on the spot, the OC claimed.

Two locally made firearms, 10 bullets and 6,000 yaba pills were recovered from the spot, he added.

The body was sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

With Lalu, at least 245 suspected drug dealers and peddlers have been killed since the nationwide anti-narcotics drive began on May 4.

Police claim that at least 52 of them were killed in “gunfights” triggered by internal conflicts.