The dead are Swapan Bahini chief Swapan, 35, also regional leader of outlawed Gono Mukti Fouj, his second-in-command Mufa, 30, and accomplices Babu, 25, Shafiqul, 25, and Azibur, 25.

Locals said Gama Group, a rival gang of Swapan Bahini, informed police that Swapan was holding a secret meeting with his accomplices at Baruria.

Police immediately rushed the spot and opened indiscriminate fire on the meeting, they added. Another source, however, claimed to have seen police arresting the five yesterday evening.

Police claimed the two rival groups were trading bullets when they raided the spot and came under fire. The police countered the attack and later recovered the five bodies around 9:00pm.

The police said they recovered one stengun, one sawn-off rifle, one revolver and 150 bullets.

Officer-in-Charge of Kumarkhali Police Station Nesaruddin, Sub-inspector Abdul Karim and a constable were injured, police claimed.

Rapid Action Battalion raided the surrounding areas after the 'shootout'. The law enforcers said Ekdil, a leader of outlawed New Biplapi Communist Party, and Tikka, a GMF leader, were hiding in the locality.