The incident was reported from Majherchar in Patharghata Upazila of the southern central district.
Swapan Pyada, head of bandit group ‘Munna Bahini’, died in the shootout that erupted early on Wednesday, said Patuakhali-based RAB Commander Hasan Al Rajib.
The two others are Liton Khondokar, 35, and Sagor Khan, 50.
On a tip-off that Swapan and his gang members were at Majherchar, a RAB team led a raid there.
“RAB personnel retaliated after the bandits opened fire. Three bodies and firearms were found lying on the ground after they fled the scene,” the RAB officer told bdnews24.com.
Seven firearms, 38 rounds of bullets, and sharp weapons were recovered from the spot, he said.
Swapan, 45, formed the Munna Bahini that is infamous for abduction of fishermen and honey collectors in areas near the Sundarbans and Bay of Bengal, according to the RAB officer.
The Munna Bahini men abducted four fishermen from Patuakhali’s Sonarchar on Jan 4, he added.