Sharankhola, Jan 27 (V7N) — At least 20 fishermen were kidnapped by a group of pirates while fishing in the Bay of Bengal near Mandarbaria in Sharankhola Upazila on Sunday night. In a bold counteraction, the fishermen managed to capture three of the pirates and handed them over to the Coast Guard.

According to Md. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, President of the Dubla Fisherman Group, the attack occurred as 10-12 pirates approached the fishermen's trawlers in a separate boat. In the ensuing struggle, the fishermen managed to apprehend three of the pirates and confiscated a firearm. During the scuffle, one pirate reportedly fell into the sea.

Despite their resistance, the remaining pirates succeeded in abducting approximately 20 fishermen, forcing them onto a trawler before fleeing the scene.

The captured pirates were handed over to the Alorkol Coast Guard Camp early Monday morning. Mohammad Asaduzzaman, officer-in-charge of the Alorkol Forest Patrol Outpost, confirmed seeing the detainees at the camp.

Efforts to contact the Coast Guard for further information were initially unsuccessful, as an official stated they would comment later. The situation remains tense as authorities investigate the incident and work to rescue the kidnapped fishermen.

This alarming event highlights the ongoing threat of piracy in the Bay of Bengal, endangering the livelihoods and lives of local fishing communities.

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