Authorities have successfully apprehended a member of the notorious Karim Sharif gang in the Sundarbans region, following a targeted operation by the Coast Guard’s Western Zone unit based in Mongla. The operation, conducted along the Murti Canal near the Shela River, resulted in the arrest of Osman Ghani, 38, in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Lieutenant Commander Abrar Hasan, the officer in charge, confirmed that the arrest was made on Thursday, 12 March 2026, following a series of confidential intelligence reports. Subsequent searches of the suspect’s possession led to the seizure of weapons and ammunition, highlighting the continuing threat posed by organised criminal elements in the area.
Seized Items
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Single-barrel shotgun | 1 |
| Live cartridges | 16 rounds |
| Spent cartridges | 5 rounds |
Osman Ghani, a resident of Ashashuni Thana in Satkhira district, has long-standing ties with the Karim Sharif gang. He was reportedly involved directly in multiple acts of robbery and provided firearms and ammunition to other gang members, facilitating their criminal operations.
Lt. Commander Hasan emphasised, “The Coast Guard remains committed to making the Sundarbans free of criminal elements. Appropriate legal action is underway based on the evidence recovered during this operation.”
The raid forms part of a broader strategy to disrupt the activities of forest-based criminal gangs while bolstering regional security. Coast Guard officials confirmed that regular surveillance and joint patrols are being conducted across the Sundarbans, with a zero-tolerance policy toward criminal activity. “No leniency will be granted to these criminals. Protecting the public remains our foremost priority,” Lt. Commander Hasan added.
The operation has reportedly instilled a heightened sense of security among local residents. Security analysts note that targeting individuals who supply arms and ammunition to gang networks is critical for reducing long-term crime rates in the forested areas.
Local administration, in coordination with the Coast Guard, plans to implement stricter enforcement measures, including heightened patrols and community awareness campaigns across the district. Authorities believe such efforts will significantly impede the operational capabilities of gangs like Karim Sharif’s.
Experts have described the apprehension of Osman Ghani as a substantial setback to the Karim Sharif gang, potentially disrupting their organised criminal operations in the Sundarbans for the foreseeable future.
