Photo: BSS

By Azad Ruhul Amin

BAGERHAT, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) – The Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) has stepped up anti-bandit operations in the Sundarbans, arresting several notorious gang members to ensure the safety of coastal communities and safeguard the world’s largest mangrove forest.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, Media Officer of the Coast Guard, said on Thursday afternoon that although coordinated operations by the Navy, Police and RAB have led to the arrest of many bandits, criminal activities have not yet been fully eradicated. 

As a result, people who depend on the Sundarbans for their livelihood remain under threat.

He highlighted that the Sundarbans plays a vital role in maintaining Bangladesh’s ecological balance, protecting against cyclones and tidal surges, supporting coastal livelihoods, and promoting tourism. 

However, for years, robber gangs have been involved in looting forest resources, kidnapping fishermen and forest workers, and creating insecurity in the region, negatively affecting tourism and the ecosystem.

According to the Coast Guard, on January 2, members of the Masum Bahini gang abducted five tourists, the owner of Golkanan Resort and a boatman while they were traveling by boat in the Sundarbans. Later the gang demanded ransom.

Following information from the resort authorities, the Coast Guard launched a joint operation. After 48 hours of intelligence-led efforts, including drone surveillance and financial tracking, the hostages were safely rescued.

During the operation, eight gang members were arrested from different areas of the Sundarbans, Dakop and Khulna and handed over to Dakop Police Station. 

Based on information obtained from the detainees, the Coast Guard later arrested the gang leader, Masum Mridha (23), from the Terokhada area of Khulna on January 7.

Subsequent searches led to the recovery of three homemade pipe guns, live and blank cartridges, axes, a steel pipe, drug paraphernalia, five mobile phones and a wristwatch belonging to the hostage tourists. 

Legal proceedings against the arrested bandits are currently underway.

Haq said that over the past year, Coast Guard operations in the Sundarbans resulted in the recovery of 38 firearms, two hand grenades, 74 domestic weapons, large quantities of ammunition-making equipment, and the rescue of 52 hostages. 

A total of 49 active bandits were arrested and handed over to law enforcement agencies.

He added that several notorious gangs, including Achabur Bahini, Hannan Bahini, Anarul Bahini, Manju Bahini and Ranga Bahini, have been completely neutralized. Though other gangs have been weakened, operations continue against remaining active groups.

To ensure long-term security in the Sundarbans, the Coast Guard emphasized the need to increase manpower, establish new stations at strategic locations, deploy faster speedboats, and enhance surveillance through modern drones. 

Greater coordination with the Forest Department was also stressed to strengthen protection of forest resources, biodiversity and overall national security.

The Coast Guard reaffirmed its commitment to continuing regular and special operations to maintain security in the Sundarbans, ensure safe livelihoods for fishermen and forest workers, and create a tourism-friendly environment.