Photo: BSS

7 of Chhoto Suman pirate gang surrender to Coast Guard in the Sundarbans

KHULNA, May 21, 2026 (BSS)–Seven members of the notorious “Chhoto Suman Bahini”, including its chief Suman Hawlader, today surrendered to the Bangladesh Coast Guard with arms and ammunition in the Sundarbans area under Mongla upazila of Bagerhat district.

The pirates surrendered near Nandabala Khal in the Sundarbans under Mongla Police Station around 11pm, Coast Guard West Zone Commander Captain Mohammad Mesbaul Islam said at a press briefing today.

The surrendered pirates are Suman Hawlader, 32, Rabiul Mallik, 25, Rafiq Sheikh, 29, SiddiqHawlader, 40, Golam Mallik, 38, and Ismail Khan, 31

During the surrender, the Coast Guard recovered three locally-made single-barrel guns, two pipe guns, 25 rounds of live cartridges and three rounds of blank cartridges.

Captain Mesbaul Islam said the gang members had long been involved in robbery, abduction of fishermen and forest workers, and extortion in the Sundarbans.

He said legal procedures are underway regarding the seized arms and ammunition, while initiatives are being taken for the rehabilitation of the surrendered pirates.

The Coast Guard official alleged that some vested groups were trying to spread misleading information to tarnish the image of the force and question its anti-crime operations.

“However, no propaganda or misinformation campaign will be able to hinder the ongoing operations and anti-piracy efforts of the Bangladesh Coast Guard,” he said.

He urged all active pirates in the Sundarbans to surrender immediately in line with the government’s “zero tolerance” policy, adding that surrendered pirates would get rehabilitation opportunities while stricter action would be taken against those continuing criminal activities.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon said the force has been conducting two special drives – “Operation Restore Peace in the Sundarbans” and “Operation Mangrove Shield” – to eliminate piracy in the forest region and ensure security for fishermen, honey collectors, woodcutters and other forest-dependent people.

He said since February 12 this year, the Coast Guard recovered 26 local and foreign firearms, 10 rounds of bullets, 178 rounds of live cartridges, 25 rounds of blank cartridges, 187 rounds of airgun pellets and two walkie-talkies during different drives.

Besides, 21 forest pirates were arrested and 20 abducted people were rescued alive and handed over safely to their families after providing necessary medical treatment, he added.

The Coast Guard officials said continuous drives, intelligence surveillance and strict monitoring have cornered pirate gangs operating in the Sundarbans, forcing many of them to abandon criminal activities and surrender.

They expressed optimism that coordinated efforts by the government, law enforcement agencies and local people would help make the Sundarbans completely free from piracy.