The regional leader of PBCP was killed in 'crossfire' during a shootout between his accomplices and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Ataikula upazila in Pabna yesterday, our Pabna correspondent reports.

The victim was identified as Bachchu Sheikh, 28, of the village Shripur in the upazila.

Rab claimed a team of the elite force, following a tip off, raided Shimulchara of the upazila around 3:30am where a gang of criminals were hiding.

They said the criminals opened fire on them in a bid to make their escape and the team retaliated.

Following the shootout Rab discovered Bachchu critically injured at the spot. They rushed him to Pabna General Hospital where he died early yesterday.

Rab recovered a locally made gun, a few sharp weapons from the spot. Bachchu's accomplices, however, managed to escape.

Rab said Bachchu Sheikh was accused in several criminal cases including three murder cases.

Meanwhile, a Jubo Dal leader was killed in 'crossfire' during a shootout between his accomplices and police at Mirersarai upazila in Chittagong, our staff correspondent in Chittagong reports.

The victim was identified as Ershad Ullah, 35. The Jubo Dal cadre was also accused in as many as 10 criminal cases including murder and robbery cases.

Police sources said Mirersarai police arrested Ershad Ullah on Friday noon at Sandhurchar area at Ichhakhali of the upazila.

Following his confessional statement to the police, a team of Mirersarai police went to Sandhurchar area along with Ershad to recover hidden firearms. As they reached the scene, a number of Ershad's accomplices opened fire on the team in a bid to snatch him from police custody, police claimed. Police said they were had to retaliate in self-defence.

During the shootout, Ershad received bullets and he died on the way to a local health complex, sources said.

They said Ershad was the second-in-command of notorious Alauddin Bahini and he had several criminal cases filed against him.