Police arrested three alleged criminals after exchange of fire in the city's Adabar area yesterday afternoon, reports UNB.

They are Helal alias Picchi Helal, Ershad and Mahbubul Haq Shafiq. They are wanted in several cases, including murder, police said.

A police squad stormed a hideout of the criminals at the Dhaka housing estate in Adabar area at about 3.30 pm.

Sensing police presence, the armed gang opened fire. Police retaliated with shots.

At one stage, ringleader Picchi Helal and his accomplices tried to escape jumping into the nearby ditch, said police.

Policemen captured them in the ditch waters.