The Bangladesh Coast Guard on Tuesday rescued six fishermen who were held hostage by pirates in the Sundarbans 10 days ago.
The rescued fishermen—Rafiqul (30), Alamin (26), and Ismail Shana (24) from Koyra in Khulna, and Ramzan Ali (36), Rezwan (22), and Mia Raj (18) from Shyamnagar in Satkhira—were abducted on March 7 while fishing and collecting crabs in the forest.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon said the victims were subjected to torture as the pirates demanded ransom. The incident came to light after a relative of one of the arrested fishermen reported the matter through the Coast Guard’s emergency helpline (16111), stating that his brother had been held captive for 10 days.
Based on the information and subsequent intelligence surveillance, Coast Guard personnel from Nalian Outpost conducted a special drive around 5:00 am yesterday in the Kalir Khal area near the Shibsa River in the Sundarbans.
During the operation, all six hostages were rescued. But sensing the presence of law enforcers, pirates managed to flee the spot.
The rescued fishermen will be handed over to their families soon. The Coast Guard said it will continue such operations to ensure the Sundarbans remain free of piracy.