Six alleged criminals including two suspected drug traders were killed in separate “gunfights” in three districts early yesterday.

Two alleged criminals -- a drug dealer and a robber -- were killed in “gunfights” with law enforcers in the capital and Madaripur early yesterday.

Defending law enforcing agencies' position against drug traders, Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Mahbubur Rahman yesterday said the deaths in shootouts between law enforcement agencies and drug peddlers happen for the sake of peace.

Police last night launched a massive block raid in the capital's Bashundhara Residential Area and its adjacent Kalachandpur to arrest “drug peddlers and criminals”.

Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday sought authority from government to conduct random drug testing on persons who it suspects of drug abuse.

​Three alleged criminals, including a "drug peddler", are killed in separate incidents of “gunfights” with law enforcers in Comilla, Satkhira and Barguna districts.

Three suspected drug peddlers are killed in a “gunfight” with Rapid Action Battalion in Chittagong city.

Two more alleged drug peddlers are killed in a reported gunfight with police in Satkhira Sadar upazila amid the ongoing countrywide anti-narcotics drive.

Three alleged drug peddlers are killed in “gunfights” with law enforcers in Jhenidah and Mymensingh districts.

An alleged drug trader is killed in a “gunfight” with police in Narail Sadar upazila.

A suspected drug trader is killed in a reported gunfight with members of Detective Branch (DB) of police in Mymensingh Sadar upazila early today.

A suspected drug trader is killed in a reported gunfight with detectives in Bagmara Beribadh area in Sadar upazila of Bhola.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader says the government would not bow down to any external pressure over the ongoing anti-narcotics drive.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has urged all member states to adhere to their commitments to promote balanced, human rights-based approaches to drug control, in line with the three international drug control conventions and the outcome document of the United Nations General Assembly special session on the world drug problem.