Two of the dead are Ayub Ali, 35, of Faridpur, and Wahab Ali, 32, of Pabna. The identity of the other could not be known.

Police said a gang of seven boarded the Naogaon-bound coach from Dhaka in the guise of passengers on Tuesday night. When the bus was crossing the `Gol Chattar' at about 1:30am, the robbers took control of the vehicle and beat the driver, helper and supervisor. Later, they looted money in cash and other valuables from the passengers.

When the robbers were fleeing with the booty, the passengers caught three of the gang and beat them mercilessly.

On information, police rushed to the scene, rescued the three in critical condition and sent them to Sirajganj Sadar Hospital. The robbers succumbed to their injuries at the hospital at about 4:00am.

Police arrested an alleged robber, Jasim Hawlader, in Sirajganj town yesterday morning in connection with the bus robbery.