Pirates operating in the Sundarbans abducted at least 18 fishermen on Thursday, sparking fear among local communities that rely on the forest for their livelihoods, officials and locals said.
The fishermen were seized while fishing in canals and rivers deep inside the Sundarbans, including the Mamundo and Malancha rivers. Associates of the victims said armed criminals took one fisherman from each boat and transported them to unknown locations.
Some abductors were identified by the fishermen, including Shahjahan of Atirupar village in Munshiganj Union under Shyamnagar upazila—who surrendered in 2018—and Shafiqul Islam, also known as Vette Shafiqul, from the same village. Both are reportedly close associates of the pirate group’s leader, who calls themselves the “Don Group.”
According to sources, three fishermen were abducted from three boats in the Maitebhanga canal of the Mamundo River, with one boat seized and two released. Two were taken from two boats in the Maisharkol canal of the Malancha River, two from the Ulobari canal, three from the Rajakhali canal of the Mamundo River, three from the Kolagachhi area, and eight more later in the day. Authorities have withheld the victims’ identities for security reasons.
Most of the abducted fishermen live in Harinagar, Kadamtala, Mathurapur, Mukhali, and Chhoto Bhetkhali areas of Munshiganj Union in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira. Many have stopped fishing and returned to nearby villages due to security concerns.
Fazlul Haque, forest ranger of the West Sundarbans Satkhira Range, said the Forest Department was alerted Friday and informed the Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies. He noted that the Coast Guard had not yet received instructions from higher authorities to launch an operation, leaving families in distress.
An official from the Mongla Media Division of the Coast Guard, speaking anonymously, said work on the case had begun but no comment could be made until the operation is concluded.
The abductions follow several recent incidents in the Sundarbans. On January 2, seven tourists were held hostage for ransom; the group leader and eight associates were later arrested. In November, a fisherman was kidnapped by the Suman Group, and in December, a visiting woman was abducted but later rescued.
