Comilla: An alleged criminal was killed in a 'gunfight' with police at Uttar Rampura village in Sadar upazila early Sunday.

The deceased was identified as Swapan Miah Prakash alias Kala Swapan, 37, son of Kala Miah, of the upazila.

Police arrested Swapan on Saturday who was accused in 23 cases, including a murder.

Acting on his statement, a law enforcer team conducted a drive alongwith Swapan to recover arms in the village around 1:30am.

Sensing the presence of police, cohorts of Swapan opened fire at them, prompting them to fire back that triggered  a gunfight.

"Swapan was caught in the line of fire, leaving him seriously injured," police said.

But others managed to flee the scene.

Later, Swapan succumbed to his injuries at Comilla Medical College Hospital around 3:30am.

Prasanto Pal, officer in-charge of Sadar Dakhsin Police Station, confirmed the incident.

TF