An alleged swindler was killed in an encounter between his accomplices and the members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) at Debetro village in Mathbaria upazila of the district yesterday.

It was alleged that Siddique, 35, and his cohorts have long been swindling people. The gang used to sell gold to unsuspecting people and on receipt of payment, they used to snatch away the precious metal from the buyer at gunpoint.

According to Rab sources, a team of the elite force, led by Deputy Assistant Director of

Rab-8 Mohammad Ali, came to Debetro village in the afternoon in

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the guise of gold buyers and had a deal with Siddique at the house of one Afzal at Sardarpara of the village.

The Rab members bought gold from Siddique and paid Tk 100,000. As they were coming out of the house, Siddique at gunpoint asked them to return the gold.

When the Rab members gave their identity, Siddiq shot MohammadAli in the leg.

The Rab members also opened fire, leaving Siddique dead on the spot and injuring some of his accomplices. But the injured cohorts of Siddique managed to flee the spot.

Rab recovered two firearms and seven bullets from the scene.