21 kidnapped fishermen rescued in Sundarbans

BCG Media Officer Lt Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan said the drives were conducted under “Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans” and “Operation Mangrove Shield” in the forest under Koyra and Dakop upazilas of Khulna district.

In the first operation, BCG members rescued 10 fishermen from the grasp of the “Dayal Bahini” in the Andharmanik Tota Keoratala Canal area in Koyra after acting on intelligence that they were being held for ransom.

The force said fishermen from Koyra and Shyamnagar in Satkhira entered deep into the Sundarbans for fishing and crab collection when members of the notorious gang kidnapped them from the areas adjacent to Firingi Canal and Kunchir Canal and demanded ransom.

During a separate operation in the Shibsa River’s Borodudhmukh Canal area in Dakop, coastguards came under gun attack by members of the “Boro Jahangir Bahini.” They returned fire in self-defence, forcing the robbers to flee into the forest.

After the exchange of fire, the BCG members rescued 11 more kidnapped fishermen from the area. They also recovered one single-barrel gun, five live rounds of ammunition and one blank cartridge, reports UNB.

Sabbir Alam said operations are continuing in the Sundarbans to ensure safety for fishermen and curb robbery.