Bodies of the five armed criminals, killed during Saturday's gunfight between an unknown gang and army at Baradam of Rangamati's Baghaichhari upazila, were handed over to their families yesterday, police said.

The five were part of a gang that used heavy arms and camouflage clothes (generally used by military) during the gunfight that happened when suspected terrorist gang members fired shots at army.

As army members fired back, some of the gang members retreated and fled. Army later recovered two Chinese rifles, three SLR (M-16), a light machinegun, an SMC, a pistol and 539 live bullets. Six pairs of military trousers, 10 shirts, 10 caps and some belts were also found at the scene, Lt Col Ali Haider Siddiqui, captain of Bangladesh Army's Baghaihat zone, told reporters on Saturday.

One army corporal, Liaquat, was injured during the fight and was brought to the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka by helicopter, he added.

Initially, it was suspected that the victims belonged to two regional political groups -- United Peoples' Democratic Front (UPDF) and Jana Sanghati Samiti (JSS-MN Larma).

But both groups denied having links with those killed.

Jakir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Baghaichhari Police Station, confirmed the body handover, after autopsies at Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital.

The dead are Tatu Moni Chakma, 29, of Rakhal Tila area of Mahalchhari upazila; Khokan Tripura, 27, of Masterpara area of Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari; Kiran Chakma alies Rupayan, 26, of Balukhali area; Babul Chakma, 32, of Dipupara in Baghaichhari upazila; and Rubel Chakma, 28 of Naniyarchar of Rangamati.