Masud Rahman, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in Cox's Bazar, said the gunfight began at about 4:00am when a team of Cox's Bazar police challenged 'five gunrunners' in the hilly area of Gomatali.

Sources said the gang was about to set off for Chittagong with a large consignment of firearms.

"But intercepted, they opened fire on the police team. Police returned fire, leading to a gunfight," said a witness.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Asraf, ASIs Jabed and Aziz, Constables Ibrahim and Anwar and alleged smuggler Nurul Kabir suffered minor bullet wounds during the fight.

Police arrested two including Nurul and recovered five firearms from the spot. The other three managed to flee the scene with the rest of the consignment.

Both Nurul and the other arrestee, Mohammed Shafi, hail from Sadar upazila.

The weapons are believed to have been manufactured at a clandestine arms factory in the dense jungle of Ramu.