Photo: BSS

KHULNA, May 12, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Coast Guard early today arrested Sundarbans pirate gang chief Md. Zahidul Islam alias Mejo Jahangir along with arms and ammunition during a special drive in Khulna's Dacope upazila.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan said the arrest was made during the fourth phase of "Operation Mangrove Shield," part of an ongoing crackdown on forest-based pirate groups operating in the Sundarbans.

On information, a special team from Coast Guard Base Mongla conducted a raid around 1:00am in the Kali Khal area near the Adachai Forest Office on the Shibsa River and detained Jahangir.

The Coast Guard recovered two single-barrel guns and five rounds of live ammunition from his possession.

Jahangir, 56, hails from Naragati thana in Narail district. 

According to the Coast Guard, he had long led the "Maj Jahangir Bahini" and was allegedly involved in robberies, abducting fishermen and extorting ransom in the Sundarbans region.

Legal proceedings against the accused are underway, while the seized weapons and ammunition have been taken into custody.

The Coast Guard said operations under "Operation Restore Peace in Sundarban" and "Operation Mangrove Shield" would continue to eliminate piracy from the Sundarbans.