Members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard detained three members of the “Karim Sharif” pirate gang along with arms and ammunition following a gunfight in the Sundarbans under its ongoing “Operation Mangrove Shield.”
The detainees were identified as Md Mehedi Hasan, 25, and Md Ramzan Sharif, 19, of Morelganj upazila in Bagerhat, and Md Enayet, 25, of Bhanga upazila in Faridpur, said Coast Guard Media Officer Lt Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon on Friday.
Three single-barrel guns, one locally made pistol, 49 rounds of live cartridges, 187 rounds of air gun pellets, two walkie-talkies and four walkie-talkie chargers were seized from the detainees.
He said the Coast Guard has been conducting two special drives — “Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans” and “Operation Mangrove Shield” — under the direct instruction of the home adviser to eliminate pirate gangs operating in the Sundarbans.
In the fifth drive under Operation Mangrove Shield, Coast Guard personnel acted on intelligence that members of the Karim Sharif gang were staying near Mora Chanmia Khal on the Shyala River under Sharankhola Police Station in Bagerhat.
Coast Guard Base Mongla and Station Kokilmoni launched a two-day operation in the area from 5pm on May 13.
Sensing the Coast Guard’s presence, the pirates opened fire, prompting personnel to retaliate in self-defense, he said.
The pirates later tried to flee but were chased down and detained.
During primary interrogation, the detainees admitted to robbing fishermen and extorting ransom by taking fishermen and bawalis hostage in the Sundarbans, said the coast guard official.
He added that four fishermen held hostage by the gang were rescued on May 13 with assistance from the Forest Department and handed over to the Coast Guard.
Legal proceedings were underway over the seized arms, ammunition and the detainees.
The Coast Guard said such drives against pirates and their collaborators will continue to make the Sundarbans free of piracy.