Published: 11:17 AM, 01 October 2026
Terror of Sundarbans Pirates: 21 fishermen missing 4 days after abduction
Four days after pirates abducted 21 fishermen at the Sundarbans, in Sarankhola, Bagerhat, Coast Guard authorities still have no information on their whereabouts.
The incident has caused intense anxiety among the families and mahajans of the abducted victims. It has also sparked widespread fear of bandits among other fishermen entering the Sundarbans to catch fish.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard is conducting a rescue operation to save the abducted fishermen. Search teams are flying drones over the Sundarbans to identify the locations of the bandits and fishermen. Several teams are conducting operations along waterways, while the Forest Department has stepped up patrols to safeguard the fishermen.
Coast Guard West Zone Media Officer Lt Commander Mahabub Hossain said, "An operation is underway to rescue the 21 abducted fishermen. In addition to using drones to locate the bandits, operations are being conducted on waterways."
According to Coast Guard and local sources, bandits launched attacks on fishermen on Friday and Saturday nights in the Narkelbaria, Amramaria, Bhadra, and Bhanga areas of the Sarankhola and Chadpai ranges in the Eastern Sundarbans.
Members of three bandit groups - known as the Majnu, Karim Sharif, and Boro Jahangir gangs - abducted the 21 fishermen. During the raids, the attackers also looted a fishing trawler, five mobile phones, and various other goods.
Locals alleged that criminal activity has surged due to a lack of administrative oversight. Asabur Bahini, Sharif Bahini, Abdullah Bahini, Manjur Bahini and Alif alias Dayal Bahini, Sagar Bahini, Alam alias Patwari Bahini have become active across the western Sundarbans, Koyra and Dakope upazilas of Khulna, and Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira.
Sarankhola Range Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Shariful Islam added that search teams have not yet found the abducted fishermen, though the Coast Guard continues its rescue operation.
Upokulio Bonjibi Forum Convener Bachchu Mir said, "The menace of these pirates is negatively impacting the Sundarbans' tourism industry. Furthermore, the forest's ecological balance is under threat due to the bandits' involvement in crimes such as illegal deer poaching and fishing using poison. However, the Coast Guard and the Forest Department have intensified joint operations to bring the situation under control.
Through the drives of Bangladesh Coast Guard namely 'Operation Restore Peace' and 'Operation Mangrove Shield', several bandits have been apprehended with weapons, and a number of abducted fishermen have been rescued.
Authorities advised fishermen operating in the Sundarbans to move in groups at night and remain near forest offices and instructed officers and employees at Forest Department stations and patrol posts to intensify patrols for the security of the fishermen.
>>BM Rakib Hasan
