The deceased was identified as Saiful Dakat, son of late Javed Ali of Koiadi village in the upazila. He was accused in a case filed over the gang-rape of a Class-VIII girl in the upazila.
On the basis of secret information, a joint team of DB and Bhaluka Police Station conducted a drive in Hatiber area around 1am to arrest the gang-rape accused, said Shah Kamal Akanda, officer-in-charge of Detective Branch of police.
Sensing danger, the criminals opened fire on law enforcers, forcing them to fire back in self-defence that triggered the gunfight, he said.
After the gunfight, bullet-hit Saiful was rescued by police and taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.
A pipe gun and three knives were also recovered from the spot, claimed Kamal.
The schoolgirl was gang-raped at Koiadi village on June 16 last and a case was filed over the incident on June 26.