Officials believe the pair were operating within the notorious terrorist group Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh – or JMB.
The 10,000 strong network are aiming to remove the country’s current government and replace it with Sharia law.
It hopes to build a new society based on the Koran in a similar vein to ISIS.
Barek Hossain alias Milu – also known as Osman, JMB leader of Joypurhat, and Sultan Mahmud Rana alias Kamal, JMB leader of Bogra died on Tuesday when the shootout occurred in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
A team of detectives were conducting a raid in the capital at around 4am when the pair detonated a bomb to scare them off, police said.
Counter-terror cops opened fire – inflicting fatal injuries on Hossain and Rana, who were rushed to Dhaka medical College hospital.
They were pronounced dead by doctors in the early hours of the morning.
“The two were JMB leaders who came from the northern part of the country.
“Police are trying to identify them,” police spokesperson Masudur Rahman said.
Two policeman were also injured in the gunfight.
Deputy Commissioner Rahman said that a pistol, bullets and three bombs were seized at the scene.
Barek is alleged to be linked to the murder of Professor Rezaul Karim of Rajshahi University, while Sultan is said to have links with the attack on a Bogra Shia Mosque, local media reported.
