Four fishermen were rescued after an exchange of fire between forest bandits and forest workers in the Sundarbans.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Division Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury confirmed the matter. The incident took place on Wednesday at Singartek in the Kokilmoni area of the Sundarbans East Forest Division.
The rescued fishermen were identified as Hasan, 30, Masum, 25, Irak Sheikh, 28, and Nasim, 25.
DFO Rezaul said a joint patrol of the Shelarchar Patrol Post and a Smart Team detected the presence of bandits and conducted an operation. When the bandits opened fire, the forest workers retaliated.
He added that seven rounds were fired towards them. The bandits then fled, leaving behind their trawler and the four hostages. The hostages are in the care of the Shelarchar Patrol Post. The process of handing over the rescued fishermen to their families is underway.
It has been reported that the bandits are members of the Sharif Force.
