The dead PBCP leader was identified as Sayed Ali Mandal, a correspondent in Pabna reports.

Rab sources claimed they were informed about a gang of robbers preparing for a robbery at Harinarayanpur of Pabna Sadar upazila.

A Rab-12 team raided the village around midnight Monday to capture the robbers. Sensing the law enforcers' presence, the gang opened fire on the team forcing Rab to retaliate.

During the firefight the criminals managed to escape but they left behind critically injured Mandal.

Rab rushed bullet riddled Mandal to Pabna General Hospital where duty doctors declared him dead.

The regional PBCP leader was accused in several criminal cases including five murder cases, Rab sources said.

Meanwhile, a man with criminal records was killed in 'crossfire' during a shootout between Rab men and his accomplices at Pallabi in the capital, our staff correspondent reports.

The dead Shahidul Islam Titu, 22, was accused in at least four criminal cases including murder charges with three police stations in the capital.

Rab-4 men arrested Titu at Mirpur on Monday evening after he came to the capital from Rupganj in Narayanganj.

Rab said following Titu's confessional statement they took him to the Botanical Garden area to recover hidden firearms early yesterday morning.

Rab sources claimed Titu's cohorts opened fire on the Rab team when it reached the spot. They said they retailed to the firing.

During the shootout, Titu received several bullets as he tried to escape Rab custody. Rab rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where duty doctors declared him dead around 5:15am, Rab sources said.