Photo: BSS

KHULNA, March 17, 2026 (BSS) - Members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard have rescued six fishermen who had been held hostage by the notorious “Nana Bhai” pirate gang in the Sundarbans.

The rescue operation was conducted in the Kali Khal area adjacent to the Shibsa River, following a tip-off, Coast Guard officials said.

According to Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, media officer of the Coast Guard, the fishermen were abducted on March 7 while they were fishing and collecting crabs in the Sundarbans. 

The pirates reportedly held them captive and subjected them to torture in an attempt to extort ransom.

The incident came to light after a relative of one of the victims informed the Coast Guard through its emergency hotline 16111, stating that his brother had been held hostage for around 10 days.

Acting on the information, Coast Guard personnel from Nalian Outpost carried out a special operation early today. 

During the operation, six fishermen were rescued from the pirates’ custody. However, sensing the presence of law enforcers, the pirates fled into the forest, leaving the hostages behind. No arrests could be made.

The rescued fishermen are Rafiqul, 30, Alamin, 26, and Ismail Shana, 24, from Koyra upazila of Khulna, and Ramzan Ali, 36, Rezwan, 22, and Mia Raj,18, from Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira are currently under Coast Guard care.

Officials said necessary procedures are underway to hand them over to their respective families.