Top gang leader held, 13 firearms recovered

Capt Riaz, media cell in-charge of Rab-8 told newsmen at its Barisal city headquarters that the law enforcers have made considerable success in busting pirates' dens. The operation will continue, he said. The raids are being conducted on the basis of information on four notorious pirate gangs, collected in last three months. The gangs locally known as Kamal-Sumon Bahini, Motalib Bahini, Badal Bahini and BDR Bahini are active in Sundarbons forests and coastal areas. They collect toll from fishermen, making fishing in the Sundarbans and its coasts risky.

The three were arrested on Monday, said Capt. Riaz.

Acting on their confessions, joint forces led by Lt. Commander Ariful Islam on the same day raided different pirates' dens in deep forests in Sharonkhola in Bagerhut district and recovered the arms and ammunition, he said. The firearms include nine guns, three 303 rifles, and one pistol. The recovered items also include some cell phones.

The arrestees will be handed over to police after interrogation, Lt. Col. Ershad said.

At least 50 fishermen were killed and over 600 fishing trawlers were looted by pirates in the Sundarbans and its coasts in last five years.