Sundarbans, Jan 09 (V7N) — The Bangladesh Coast Guard arrested Masum Mridha, 23, the main coordinator of the Masum pirate gang, from the Dhangkhali area adjacent to the Sundarbans on Wednesday night. The arrest followed an intensive operation related to the kidnapping of a resort owner and two tourists.

According to Coast Guard sources, the arrest led to the recovery of three locally made one-shot pipe guns, eight rounds of live ammunition, four empty cartridges, one Chinese axe, two locally made axes, a machete, a steel pipe, and drug consumption equipment. Acting on information provided by the accused, the seized items were recovered during a search operation near the Gazi Fisheries area of the Sundarbans.

In addition, five mobile phones and a wristwatch belonging to the kidnapped tourists were also recovered during the operation.

Lieutenant Commander Abrar Hasan, Operations Officer of Coast Guard West Zone, said that legal proceedings against the arrested pirate and the seized items are currently underway.

He emphasized that the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, plays a vital role in maintaining Bangladesh’s ecological balance, mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, protecting coastal communities, and supporting tourism. The forest also serves as a natural barrier against cyclones and storm surges.

He further noted that for a long time, several pirate groups have been involved in looting forest resources, kidnapping fishermen and forest workers, and engaging in various criminal activities in the Sundarbans, adversely affecting tourism, biodiversity, and local security. Since its inception, the Coast Guard has been conducting continuous operations against such criminal groups as part of its mandate.

Officials said that on January 2, members of the Masum pirate gang abducted the owner of Golkanon Resort and two tourists while they were traveling by wooden boat near Kanurkhal after departing from Golkanon Resort. Following a ransom demand, the resort authorities informed the Coast Guard, which then launched a joint operation. Using intelligence information, drone surveillance, and financial tracing, the Coast Guard successfully rescued the hostages safely after a 48-hour operation.

During the rescue operation, eight gang members — Kuddus Howladar, 43; Md Salam Box, 24; Mehedi Hasan, 19; Alam Matobbar, 38; Ayon Kundu, 30; Md Ifaz Fakir, 25; Zaynabi Bibi, 55; and Mosha Mridha, 55 — were arrested from various locations in the Sundarbans, Dakop, and Khulna, and later handed over to Dakop Police Station.

The Coast Guard reported that over the past year, anti-piracy operations in the Sundarbans resulted in the recovery of 38 firearms, two hand grenades, 74 locally made weapons, large quantities of weapon-manufacturing equipment, 448 rounds of ammunition, and the rescue of 52 male and female hostages. A total of 49 active pirates were arrested and handed over to law enforcement agencies.

Through continuous operations, several pirate groups, including the Ashabur, Hannan, Anarul, Manju, and Ranga gangs, have been completely neutralized. Other groups, such as the Chhoto Suman, Chhoton, and Kajol Munna gangs, have been weakened, while surveillance and patrols have been intensified to suppress the remaining active gangs.

Lieutenant Commander Abrar Hasan reaffirmed that the Bangladesh Coast Guard will continue regular and special operations to ensure the overall security of the Sundarbans, protect forest resources, ensure the safety of fishermen and forest workers, and maintain a tourism-friendly environment.

END/AHS/SMA/