Two police officers were injured, one of them critically, in an alleged attack by suspected drug dealers while attempting to arrest an accused in a drug-related case in Lalmonirhat's Hatibandha upazila yesterday.

The incident occurred around 11:00pm in Gendukuri village under Tongbhanga union.

Among the injured, Sub-Inspector (SI) Ruhul Amin of Hatibandha Police Station was initially taken to Hatibandha Upazila Health Complex before being referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. He was later shifted to a specialised private hospital in Rangpur for surgery.

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Abdul Latif is receiving treatment at Hatibandha Upazila Health Complex.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ramzan Ali said the officers were conducting a raid to arrest Rashidul Haque Rashed of Gendukuri village, who is wanted in a drug-related case.

During the operation, Rashed and his associates allegedly attacked the officers with sharp weapons and sticks, leaving the two officers injured, the OC said.

SI Ruhul Amin sustained severe injuries to his head and other parts of his body, he added.

With the help of local residents, the injured officers were rescued and taken to hospital.

Police have filed a case over the attack and launched a special drive to arrest Rashed and the others involved, the OC said.

Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Asaduzzaman said both officers were receiving treatment and that preparations were underway for surgery on SI Ruhul Amin.

"No one involved in the attack will be spared. Alongside the local police, detectives from the District Detective Branch (DB) have also been deployed to arrest all those responsible," the SP said.