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Coast Guard Rescues 33 from Sundarbans Pirates
In a dramatic rescue operation, the Coast Guard has freed 33 abducted fishers — including six women — from a pirate den deep within the Sundarbans mangrove forest.
According to a statement released Thursday, the victims, all residents of Koyra upazila in Khulna district, were abducted several days ago while fishing in the Karkari River. The perpetrators, identified as members of the notorious Karim Sharif pirate gang, also seized 16 fishing boats during the abduction.
The pirates reportedly demanded Tk 10,000 in ransom for each victim, threatening their families with dire consequences if the payments were not made.
Acting on a tip-off, Coast Guard personnel from the Mongla Base and Nalian Outpost launched a raid on Wednesday, conducting an hours-long operation from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the remote jungle.
As law enforcement approached, the pirates fired blank shots before fleeing the scene under cover of the dense forest. No arrests were made during the operation.
Following the raid, all 33 hostages and the stolen boats were successfully recovered. The rescued fishers were given first aid at the Coast Guard’s Koyra station, and authorities said arrangements were being made to reunite them with their families.
This operation comes amid increasing concerns over pirate activities in the Sundarbans region, despite ongoing crackdowns and recent surrenders by pirate groups in other coastal areas.