Photo: BSS

By Mutaher Hussain

DHAKA, June 14, 2026 (BSS) - While working on a boat in the Bhadra River in Dacope Upazila of Khulna District, Mostafa Molla and his companions suddenly fell victim to river pirates. 

The pirates attacked and, before the fishermen could react, abducted five of them and took deep into the Sundarbans forest. 

They were held hostage for days while the pirates demanded ransom. Just when their families had nearly lost hope of seeing them alive again, a Coast Guard operation rescued them.

Speaking to BSS, boatman Mostafa Molla said, "We went to work on the Bhadra River with five boats. The pirates took one person from each boat. They beat us to force ransom payments. Later, the Coast Guard conducted an operation and saved our lives."

These fishermen are not the only beneficiaries of such operations. In recent months, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has achieved a series of successes through continuous operations against pirate gangs, arms smugglers, and human trafficking networks in the Sundarbans and coastal regions.
 
By arresting members of several notorious pirate groups, destroying their hideouts, rescuing hostages, and seizing large quantities of weapons and ammunition, the force has significantly weakened criminal networks in the coastal areas and the Sundarbans. Many innocent people, including fishermen and tourists, have been rescued alive from pirate captivity during these operations.

According to the Coast Guard, regular patrols, intelligence surveillance, and special missions such as "Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans" and "Operation Mangrove Shield" are being conducted to dismantle the bases of notorious pirate groups, including the Karim-Sharif, Nanabhai, Chhoto Suman, Alif, and Asabur gangs. 

As a result of these intensive operations, most pirate groups have become nearly inactive. However, in response to isolated incidents, special operations based on intelligence and regular patrols continue with the goal of completely eradicating piracy.

Coast Guard sources said that during operations conducted over the three months leading up to May this year, 39 forest pirates were arrested in the Sundarbans. 

Authorities recovered 42 locally made and foreign firearms, 250 live rounds of ammunition, 93 blank cartridges, 194 air-gun pellets, one cocktail bomb, one telescope, and two walkie-talkies. 

In addition, 41 fishermen held hostage by pirates were rescued alive and returned to their families. The operations also resulted in the destruction of five hideouts of the Karim-Sharif gang, four hideouts of the Chhoto Suman gang, and one hideout of the Chhoto Jahangir gang.

In 2025, various operations in the Sundarbans led to the arrest of 50 members of different pirate groups. During these operations, authorities recovered 47 firearms, seven live bullets, 156 live cartridges, 298 blank cartridges, two hand grenades, two cocktail bombs, and a large quantity of locally made weapons. During the same period, 67 fishermen, two tourists, and one resort owner were rescued alive from pirate captivity.

Coast Guard sources said the force has continued its efforts to combat human trafficking and drug smuggling. 

Maximum vigilance is being maintained in coastal and riverbank areas, particularly in the southeastern region, to prevent human trafficking by sea. Continuous patrols, the use of modern technology, enhanced intelligence surveillance, and coordinated operations with other law enforcement agencies are being carried out. 

Public awareness campaigns are also conducted regularly to educate local communities. Over the past year, various operations rescued 618 victims of human trafficking, including 191 Bangladeshis and 427 Rohingyas. During the same period, 51 traffickers involved in human trafficking networks were arrested. 

Regular patrols aimed at preventing drug trafficking have also been strengthened.

A resident of the Sundarbans area, Aminur Sana, told BSS, "We live in the Sundarbans region, where life has always been somewhat risky and challenging. At various times, criminals and miscreants intimidate us and create different kinds of problems, disrupting our normal lives. However, due to the Coast Guard's regular patrols and firm stance, a sense of security has returned. Without the Coast Guard, living and moving safely in this area would be much more difficult."

Bangladesh Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan told BSS that the Coast Guard continues to perform its duties with the highest level of professionalism, dedication, and sincerity to ensure security in coastal areas, completely eliminate forest piracy in the Sundarbans, and maintain law and order in coastal and riverine regions. 

He added that Coast Guard operations and patrol activities will continue in the future to ensure public safety and suppress crime.

Rezaual Karim Sohag, assistant professor and current chairman of the Department of Criminology at the University of Dhaka, told BSS that recent developments indicate some changes in law enforcement activities while certain criminal groups have also become more active. 

As a result, these groups are increasingly relying on weapons to establish dominance. He noted that no single force can completely control the problem alone. Instead, the Coast Guard, other law enforcement agencies, local administration, and intelligence organizations must work together. 

He emphasized that arrest and suppression alone cannot provide a lasting solution. Individuals involved in such crimes must also be rehabilitated and provided with alternative employment opportunities. According to him, coordinated initiatives of this kind would greatly help control such crimes in the future.