14 firearms, ammunition recovered from Sundarban

KHULNA, Oct 12: Members of Special Response Battalion (SRB-6) have recovered 14 firearms, 274 rounds of live ammunition, 23 empty cartridges, seven walkie-talkie sets and six bulletproof jackets during search operations in the Sundarban following the surrender of 15 members of two groups of the robber gang Alif Bahini.

The weapons and equipment had been buried at different locations in the forest three to four months ago, SRB-6 Deputy Commander in Khulna Major Md Nazmul Islam said at a news conference in the force’s headquarters in Khulna on Monday.

Following the surrender, SRB-6 launched search operations based on information provided by the former gang members and recovered the concealed weapons and equipment over two days.

A special operation titled “Operation Restore Peace in Sundarban” was launched in coordination with the Coast Guard, SRB, local administration, river police and the Department of Forest on March 2 to ensure the safety of fishermen, wood collectors, honey collectors and other people dependent on the forest.

As part of the operation, a joint force conducted a drive inside the Sundarban on October 7. Two days later, 15 members of two Alif Bahini groups surrendered in an area near the Ar Pangashia River.

Nazmul Islam said the surrendering gang members had no weapons with them at the time. Based on their information, the force searched several remote locations, taking tidal conditions into account.

He said the force had gathered information about cases filed against the individuals, many of whom did not know which police stations had registered the cases. They were receiving legal assistance, and the cases would be handled through the judicial process.

Investigations are also underway to identify those who supplied weapons to the gang, extorted money and collected payments from fishermen, he said.

Information about suspected arms suppliers in Satkhira, Koyra, Dacope and Patuakhali, including their identities, contact numbers and alleged supply methods and financial transactions, has been collected. Further details will be disclosed later, he added. 

Nazmul Islam urged other pirate groups operating in the Sundarban to surrender and return to lawful lives, warning that those who continued criminal activities would face strict legal action.

SRB-6 expressed hope that the surrender and recovery would improve security for forest-dependent communities and help protect the Sundarban’s biodiversity, natural resources and coastal economy.