MONGLA, March 31  (V7N) — The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued a fisherman held hostage by the notorious Jonab Bahini bandits in the Sundarbans during a special operation early Tuesday.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan said that acting on secret information, members of the force conducted an operation at Kharkuria Canal around 2 am. Sensing the presence of the Coast Guard, the robbers fled deep into the forest, leaving the hostage behind.

The rescued fisherman, Mujibar Gazi (50), a resident of Koyra police station in Khulna district, had gone fishing in the Sundarbans on Saturday. On Sunday morning, he was kidnapped by the bandits, who demanded a ransom of Tk 20,000. Coast Guard members found him tied up on his boat and freed him.

Officials said the process of handing Mujibar over to his family is underway. The Coast Guard vowed to continue such operations to keep the Sundarbans free from pirates and ensure the safety of fishermen. It may be noted that on March 17, the Coast Guard rescued six hostages from Kalirkhal adjacent to the Shibsa River.

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