The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued eight fishermen held hostage by the notorious gang of Sundarbans ‘Jahangir Bahini’, seizing weapons and ammunition in a special operation on Wednesday morning.
Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, Coast Guard media officer, said that, based on secret intelligence, it was learned that the notorious Sundarbans gang led by Jahangir had held several fishermen hostage in the Chhota Dagra Khal area of the Shibsa River in the Sundarbans. Acting on a tip-off, the Coast Guard launched a targeted operation at 6am.
During the raid, officials recovered a single-barrelled gun, four live cartridges, and seven empty shells. All eight hostages were freed unharmed. The gang members, however, escaped into the forest before they could be apprehended.
Interrogation of the rescued fishermen revealed they had been held for seven days and tortured as the gang demanded ransom. The hostages were later handed over to their families. The seized weapons and ammunition are now under legal processing.
Lieutenant Commander Haq emphasised that the Coast Guard will continue such operations to keep the Sundarbans free of criminal activity.
