The prime accused in a gang-rape case was killed in a gunfight with police at Andharmanik under Bhujpur police station of Fatikchhari upazila in Chattogram early Sunday.

The deceased was identified as Md Helal Uddin, 30, resident of Paschim Bhujpur of the upazila.

Bhujpur police station officer-in-charge Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah said that Helal was wanted in several cases.

He said that on Saturday, a group of miscreants, led by Helal, picked up two girls while the victims were returning their houses from Kazirhat Bazaar and raped them taking them to a nearby forest of Galachiopartek.

A case was lodged in this connection with the police and the police arrested Helal, the OC said.

Based on Helal’s statement, a police team, along with Helal, went to Andharmanik area to arrest the other accused.

As soon as the police reached the spot, Helal’s accomplices opened fire on the police, prompting the police to retaliate that triggered the gunfight.

The police officer said that Helal died in the gunfight and the police also arrested two other suspects.

The OC said that they also seized a firearm, a knife and four bullets from the spot.

With Helal, at least 42 people were killed in ‘gunfights’ with law enforcement agencies during countrywide shutdown since March 26.