Six Fishermen Rescued from Sundarbans Kidnappers

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has successfully rescued six fishermen who were held captive by the notorious Sundarbans bandit group, known locally as the ‘Nana Bhai Bahini’, for nearly ten days. The kidnappers had demanded ransom for the release of the fishermen, who were abducted while fishing in the region.

A press briefing at the Coast Guard’s Western Zone headquarters on Tuesday afternoon, 17 March, confirmed the operation. Lieutenant Ashikur Islam Imon, Operations Officer of the Western Zone, provided the details of the daring rescue mission.

According to Coast Guard sources, the abduction took place ten days prior, when three fishing vessels were targeted by armed members of the ‘Nana Bhai Bahini’. The six fishermen—Shafiqul, Al Amin, Ismail, Rezuan, Miaraj, and Romjan—were held in a remote location within the dense forest, where they endured harsh conditions as their captors sought ransom from their families.

The breakthrough came when a local resident named Kabir informed the Coast Guard on Monday about the ongoing abduction. Acting on this tip, the Coast Guard launched a meticulously planned operation, culminating in the early hours of Tuesday morning with the safe recovery of all six fishermen.

Lieutenant Imon emphasised the professionalism and coordination of the Coast Guard personnel involved in the mission. “Thanks to timely intelligence and swift action, we were able to ensure the safe return of all hostages without any casualties,” he said. The rescued individuals are now under medical observation to assess their health after enduring nearly ten days in captivity.

The Coast Guard has confirmed that the fishermen will soon be reunited with their families. Authorities have also reiterated their commitment to intensifying patrols and surveillance in the Sundarbans region to prevent similar incidents in the future.

For clarity, the details of the rescued fishermen are summarised below:

This operation highlights the ongoing risks faced by fishermen in the Sundarbans, a region both rich in biodiversity and prone to criminal activities. The Coast Guard’s successful rescue is being hailed as a significant achievement in maintaining law and order in Bangladesh’s coastal waters.