The victim Muhammad Shariam Molla, 42, was arrested Wednesday night at Baroipara of Rampal upazila in Bagerhat, said a Rab press release yesterday.

The press release said a Rab team along with Molla went to Talbonia of the same upazila to recover weapons. His accomplices fired on the team as they reached the spot forcing Rab to retaliate. The 15-minute-long firefight left Molla dead on the spot. One pipe gun, four live gun cartridges and three used shells of bullets were recovered from the spot, the press release read.

According to Rab, Molla was the acting regional leader of the party in charge of Rampal and Mongla upazilas of Bagerhat. He was an accused in 10 criminal cases filed with Rampal Police Station. Allegations of bomb attacks, extortion, abduction for rape and ransom were brought against him in those cases, the press release added.