BARGUNA, Feb 16, (V7N) - Three fishermen were abducted along with their trawler by the pirate group Chhoto Jahangir Bahini while fishing near the Sundarbans in the Bay of Bengal, officials confirmed Monday evening.

The incident occurred late Saturday night when the fishermen — Raju, son of Abdul Mannan; Mahbub Hossain, son of Abdul Malek; and Rajan, all from Ruhita village — were fishing with a behundi net. The pirates seized their unnamed engine-powered trawler, owned by Md. Masum Mia, and demanded ransom for their release.

Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of the Barguna District Fishermen Trawler Owners Association, said the abducted fishermen were being beaten as they failed to pay ransom within the deadline. He noted that the same group had recently kidnapped eight fishermen from Patharghata, who were released after ransom payments.

When contacted, a Coast Guard Southern Zone media officer said no written complaint had yet been received. “If any complaint is received in writing, action will be taken,” he stated.

The abduction has sparked concern among local fishing communities, who have repeatedly faced pirate attacks in the Sundarbans region.

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