Coast Guard arrests three Jonab Bahini members, recovers arms during Sundarbans anti-piracy operation. Photo : BSS

KHULNA, June 10, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) has arrested three active members of the notorious "Jonab Bahini" and recovered arms and ammunition during a special anti-piracy drive under "Operation Mangrove 
Shield" in the Sundarbans.

The arrested pirates were identified as Azibar Gazi, 47, Robiul Gazi, 44, and Faruk Hossain, 36, all residents of Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira district.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan disclosed the information at a press briefing here today.

The Coast Guard is conducting two special operations-- "Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans" and "Operation Mangrove Shield"-- under the government's directive to eliminate all active pirate groups operating in the Sundarbans 
region.

As part of the ongoing "Operation Mangrove Shield", Coast Guard personnel conducted a special raid and detained the three active members of the "Jonab Gang" along with arms and ammunition, he added.

According to the Coast Guard official, intelligence information indicated that members of the notorious gang were staying near the Kalinchi Switch Gate area under Shyamnagar Police Station in Satkhira.

Acting on the tip-off, Coast Guard Station Koykhali carried out a special operation in the area at around 6 pm on Tuesday and arrested the three suspects.

Based on information provided by the detainees, another operation was conducted later that night at around 11 pm in the Harintana Khal area under Shyamnagar Police Station, leading to the recovery of a single-barrel gun and two rounds of live cartridges.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested had long been involved in piracy activities in the Sundarbans as active members of the "Jonab Bahini".

They allegedly extorted ransom from fishermen and forest-dependent people, including bawalis, by taking them hostage, the Media Officer said.

Legal procedures against the detainees are underway and the recovered firearm and ammunition have been seized, the Coast Guard said.

The media officer further said certain vested quarters and criminal groups have been attempting to spread misleading and baseless information to undermine the Coast Guard's image and question its anti-crime operations. Despite such propaganda, anti-piracy drives will continue, he added.

He also reaffirmed that regular operations and intelligence activities would remain in place to make the Sundarbans completely free from pirates and ensure the safety of people dependent on the forest.