Five policemen were also injured during the shootout. They are Sub-Inspector (SI) Riaz, ASI Abdur Rashid and constables Jabbar, Akram and Baten of Chowhali Police Station. The injured cops are now undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Acting on a tip-off, Gazipur police arrested Abdul Halim, 49, a regional leader of Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP), in Kaliakoir area of the district on Thursday. Later, he was brought to Chowhali Police Station in Sirajganj for interrogation.

Following his confessional statement, Chowhali police set out to recover firearms, taking the PBCP leader with them.

When they reached the Poylarchar area at about 4:00am, Halim's accomplices opened fire on the law enforcers, forcing them to retaliate.

Police said Halim was caught in

the crossfire while trying to flee and died instantly. He was wanted in 13 criminal cases including three for murder, they added.

One shutter gun, one county-made rifle and three bullets were recovered from the spot.