Khulna: Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) members successfully rescued 21 fishermen who had been kidnapped by robbers in the Sundarbans. The rescue operations, conducted on Friday morning, also resulted in the recovery of firearms and ammunition.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the operations were carried out under the initiatives ‘Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans’ and ‘Operation Mangrove Shield’. These operations took place in the forest areas of Koyra and Dakop upazilas in Khulna district. The initial operation led to the rescue of 10 fishermen from the ‘Dayal Bahini’ gang in the Andharmanik Tota Keoratala Canal area in Koyra, following intelligence reports that they were being held for ransom.
Fishermen from Koyra and Shyamnagar in Satkhira had ventured deep into the Sundarbans for fishing and crab collection when they were abducted by the notorious gang near Firingi Canal and Kunchir Canal. The gang had demanded a ransom for their release.
In a separate operation, BCG members faced a gun attack by the ‘Boro Jahangir Bahini’ gang in the Shibsa River’s Borodudhmukh Canal area in Dakop. The coastguards responded in self-defense, which led to the robbers fleeing into the forest. Following the exchange of fire, 11 more kidnapped fishermen were rescued. The BCG also recovered one single-barrel gun, five live rounds of ammunition, and one blank cartridge from the site.
Lt Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan stated that the operations are ongoing in the Sundarbans to ensure the safety of fishermen and to curb robbery incidents in the area.