Criminals killed three people of their rival gang at Junaidah of Mirpur upazilain Kushtia early yesterday.

The dead were identified as Biplob Hossain, 32, Moktar Hossain, 42, and Ashraful Islam Bhuttro, 24.

Police said the dead were from a notorious local gang called Panna Bahini.Quoting the victims' family members, police said cadres of their rival gang, Lalchand Bahini, went to Moktar's house around 12:00 midnight and took him hostage at gunpoint. The gang then went to adjacent Bhuttro's house and held him captive as well. Earlier they picked up Biplob at his house at Gasherdar.

They took the three to nearby Junaidah Beel and murdered them. Locals discovered the bodies and informed police yesterday morning. Biplob's throat was slit while Moktar and Bhuttro were shot dead.

Police recovered the bodies and sent them to Kushtia General Hospital for autopsy.

According to police, at least 28 people were killed due to internal conflicts of the gangs and their attempt to establish supremacy in Daulatpur, Mirpur and Bheramara upazilas over the last six years.

On June 6, Panna Bahini chief Panna was killed in 'crossfire' between Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and his cohorts in Rajshahi.

Locals say Lalchand Bahini, archrival of Panna Bahini, is now trying to wipe out all Panna Bahini cadres