Sundarbans pirate gang leader held with arms, ammunition

Bangladesh Coast Guard arrested a notorious pirate gang leader along with arms and ammunition during a special drive in the Sundarbans early Tuesday.

The arrested was identified as Md Zahidul Islam alias Jahangir, 56, chief of the infamous Jahangir Bahini and a resident of Noragati Police Station area in Narail district.

Acting on a tip-off that the pirate chief was staying in the area, Coast Guard Base Mongla launched the operation around 1:00 AM and arrested him with two single-barrel guns and five rounds of live cartridges.

As part of the ongoing “Operation Restore Peace in Sundarban” and “Operation Mangrove Shield,” Coast Guard members conducted the drive in Kali Khal area adjacent to the Adachai forest office on the Shibsa River under Khulna’s Dakop upazila.

According to Coast Guard sources, Jahangir had long been involved in piracy in the Sundarbans and extorting ransom from local fishermen after holding them hostage.

Confirming the matter, Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon said the force has taken a strict stance against all forest pirates active in the Sundarbans region.

Legal procedures against the arrested pirate are underway, while the seized firearms and ammunition have been taken into custody.

Such drives would continue in the future to make the Sundarbans completely free from pirates, added the official.

SMS/AM