Two men were killed and four others injured when a covered van rammed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw on the Cumilla-Sylhet highway in Brahmanbaria's Sultanpur area this morning.

The deceased were identified as Tanvir, 23, and Rafiqul Islam, 25.

Khatihata Highway Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Asifuzzaman confirmed the incident, saying Tanvir and Rafiqul, along with three others, were en route to Brahmanbaria Sadar in the auto-rickshaw. As the vehicle was crossing the Sultanpur area, it was hit head-on by a speeding covered van coming from the opposite direction, leaving the auto-rickshaw mangled.

Locals rushed to the scene and rescued all six passengers, including the driver, and took them to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital. Tanvir and Rafiqul succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment, said the police.

Sub-Inspector Md Mahabub Alam of Brahmanbaria Sadar Model Police Station said the covered van involved in the crash has yet to be seized. However, the auto-rickshaw has been recovered, and its driver, Mizanur Rahman, is currently in police custody.

"Efforts are underway to identify and arrest the driver of the van," the SI added.