The dead are Tutul alias Bhaista Titu, 25, a resident of Basundhara in Badda, and PBCB cadre Shah Alam, 38, also a workers' union leader.

Acting on a tip off, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)-3 arrested Titu in Rampura at around 11:00am on Wednesday. A Rab press release said the elite force yesterday took him to East Hazipara in Boubazar, Khilgaon to seize firearms and nab his accomplices.

The release claimed the Rab team came under fire at around 3:50am and encountered the attack. Titu received several bullets when he made an attempt to flee during the shootout, it added.

With at least 10 bullets, Titu was pronounced dead upon arrival at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) at 5:30am.

The Rab seized one sawn-off rifle, one revolver and six bullets. They said Titu was accused in five criminal cases.

Titu's brother Masum claimed at the DMCH Titu's rivals had 'orchestrated' the killing with the help of Rab.

In Bagerhat, Rab nabbed Shah Alam, an accomplice of slain Asaduzzaman Litu, who was killed in 'crossfire' early this year, in Khalishpur on Wednesday.

Alam was a workers' union leader in Boyra CSD storehouse and an accused in at least 18 criminal cases.

The Rab in the same release said they took him to Baintola village in Rampal upazila at around midnight to seize arms when his accomplices attacked them.

During the 15-minute shootout, Alam was killed in 'crossfire' when he tried to flee, said the press release. A Rab member was also injured, it claimed.

The Rab seized one rifle, one pipe-gun and seven bullets from the spot.