The Coast Guard has rescued 33 individuals, including six women, who were kidnapped by the notorious bandit group led by Karim Sharif in the Sundarbans. The victims had been held hostage at a secret hideout in the dense forest, where the bandits demanded ransom.
On Thursday at 10 AM, Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq confirmed the rescue.
He added that the Coast Guard received a tip-off about the bandits’ presence in the Malakhali area near the Korkori River in the western division of the Sundarbans. Acting on this information, the Coast Guard launched an operation from 11 a.m. to evening on Wednesday. Upon detecting the Coast Guard’s presence, the bandits fired warning shots and quickly fled into the forest. During the operation, the Coast Guard rescued 33 fishermen, including six women, and recovered 16 boats.
The fishermen explained that they had entered the Sundarbans with forest department permits to catch fish and crabs. However, the Karim Sharif group ambushed them in different parts of the forest, demanding a ransom of 10,000 Taka per person.
Liberty News’ local correspondent states that the rescued individuals were brought to the Coast Guard station in Koyra, where they were provided with medical treatment and necessary food. All of them are residents of the Koyra Police Station area in Khulna. Arrangements are being made to hand them over to their families along with their boats.
LND/BG
