Photo : BSS

KHULNA, April 9, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested 61 forest pirates, recovered 80 firearms, and seized 2,857 rounds of ammunition during intensified anti-piracy operations in the Sundarbans over the past 16 months.

In the latest operation, Coast Guard personnel arrested two members of the notorious "Chhoto Jahangir Bahini" gang along with arms and ammunition from Baintala Khal in Dacope upazila, near the Sundarbans, on April 3, said a Coast Guard press release today.

The arrested were identified as Sohag Howlader, 35, of Sharankhola upazila in Bagerhat, and Babul Sana, 42, of Paikgachha upazila in Khulna.

In a separate operation on April 1, the Coast Guard rescued three fishermen from Hogoldara Khal under Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira. Pirates, sensing the presence of the Coast Guard, fled the scene, leaving behind the fishermen along with their boat, two live bullets, a blank cartridge, three walkie-talkie chargers, three mobile batteries, and an axe.

Earlier, on March 31, the "Jonab Bahini" gang had abducted three fishermen and their boat from a Sundarbans canal while they were netting fish.

Lt. Sakib Imran, Navigating Officer of the Coast Guard West Zone, confirmed that on January 2, Masum Mridha's gang abducted the owner of Golkanon Resort and two tourists while they were traveling by wooden boat from the resort to Kanur Khal in the Sundarbans. 

The gang demanded ransom, but the Coast Guard, acting on information from the resort authorities and using intelligence inputs, drone surveillance, and financial tracking, launched a 48-hour joint operation to rescue the victims unharmed.

Lt. Imran said that Masum Mridha has long been a threat to fishermen and tourists and has been involved in multiple abductions across the Sundarbans. 

He noted that forest pirate gangs have for years been looting forest resources and abducting fishermen and forest-dependent communities, causing significant harm to tourism, local security, and the ecosystem.

He added that in the operations conducted over the past 16 months, members of several gangs, including Chhoto Jahangir Bahini, Jonab Bahini, Karim-Sharif, Asabur Bahini, and Chhoto Sumon Bahini, have been arrested. Alongside 80 firearms and 2,857 rounds of ammunition, 78 fishermen, including three tourists, were rescued.

Lt. Imran said operations against active gangs led by Karim Sharif, Jahangir, and Dayal have been intensified through increased patrols and enhanced intelligence surveillance. 

He emphasized that ensuring long-term security in the Sundarbans requires additional Coast Guard manpower, establishment of new stations at strategic points, acquisition of high-speed boats, and expansion of drone-based surveillance.