Joint forces have launched a ‘combing operation’ across the Sundarbans aimed at rescuing abducted fishermen and combating piracy in the region.
According to the Coast Guard and fishing trawler owners, fishermen are facing security threats as victims are beaten and subjected to inhumane treatment, with pirates demanding hefty ransoms.
The combing operation was being conducted in remote canals and forest areas such as Dublar Char, Harbaria, Kokilmoni, Nandobara, and Jongra since Tuesday. Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Coast Guard, Navy, and Police are participating in the drive. Although extensive searches were carried out on the first day, no abducted fishermen were rescued and no pirates were arrested. Law enforcement agencies, however, stated that the operation will continue until the hostages are freed and the Sundarbans are cleared of criminal groups.
Kamal Ahmed, president of the Dublar Fishermen Group, said fishermen have stopped going to sea during the peak fishing season due to fear of pirate attacks, raising concerns of financial losses. He called for the immediate rescue of abducted fishermen and enhanced security in coastal waters.
Fishermen reported that 20 fishermen abducted from the Bay of Bengal remain in captivity after a week. Pirates have demanded Tk 3.50 lakh per trawler — totaling Tk 70 lakh — as ransom, contacting trawler owners via mobile phones. Negotiations over the ransom amount are ongoing, according to the Forest Department.
Fishing activities partially resumed on Saturday after a four-day suspension, with some trawlers venturing into the sea at considerable risk. The Forest Department has instructed fishermen to operate close to the shore and return to shore the same day.
The abductions reportedly took place on the night of February 16, when members of the notorious Jahangir and Suman pirate groups abducted 20 fishermen from 20 trawlers engaged in dry fish production operations near Dublar Char.
Following the incident, regular fishermen and dry fish producers under the Sharankhola Range in the eastern Sundarbans halted operations due to safety concerns, causing a severe fish shortage at the country’s largest dry fish production hub.
Milton Roy, Officer-in-Charge of the special patrol outpost at the Dublar dry fish production center under the Sharankhola Range, confirmed that trawler owners spoke to the pirates via mobile phone on February 2. The pirates demanded Tk 3.50 lakh per trawler but did not set a deadline for payment. They also threatened dire consequences for the hostages and warned that advance payments would be required for future fishing activities if ransom demands were not met promptly.
