2 pirates killed in gunfight with coastguard

Coastguard members in a drive in the outer anchorage of Chittagong port arrested nine alleged pirates yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Commander Anwar Hossain of West Zone Coastguard said they traded over 200 shots with the pirates in the encounter.

The incident occurred when coastguards challenged the pirates moving in the area on board trawlers in the guise of fishermen. When challenged, the pirates opened fire and started fleeing towards the Sundarbans which is about half-a-kilomete from the spot of the gunbattle.

Two trawlers, three homemade guns, three foreign-made guns, seven bullets, 18 empty bullet shells and two magazines were recovered from the spot, he said.