Police said the arrested man Emdad, 43, the leader of Emdad Bahini, is one of the top two most wanted criminals listed with the Boalkhali Police Station.

Three policemen -- SI Mahbub Morshed, SI Ismail Hossain and Nayek Obayedur Rahman -- sustained bullet injuries during the gunfight.

Sources said the gunfight began when Emdad's gang numbering around seven opened fire on police in a bid to free their leader as he was being hauled into a police van following his arrest from Darogherghata of Kadurkhil under the upazila at around 4:00pm yesterday.

During the 30-minute gunfight, the gang fired some 100 shots at police and police retaliated by firing 40 rounds.

Emdad, reportedly a Shibir cadre, is an accused in 15 criminal including three murder cases.

He would be produced before the court for remand, police said.