They said Nazmul, 32, vice-president of JCD Char Sindhur unit, was caught in the 'crossfire' and died instantly. He hailed from Malita village of Palash upazila.

His two colleagues in the ruling BNP-backed student body--Sohel of Balia village in Palash and Dulal of Bagdi area--were injured and arrested.

Police said one 6.5bore foreign-made pistol with a bullet was recovered from them. Nazmul's body was kept in the morgue of Narsingdi Sadar Hospital. Injured Sohel and Dulal were sent to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

Sources said the JCD men were allegedly selling arms in BSCIC Industrial Area at about 3:00pm. "As a Rab patrol team challenged the JCD men, they opened fire, trying to flee. In the exchange of fire, Nazmul died," the sources added.