Members of Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued a kidnapped fisherman from Morakaga Khal (canal) area of the Sundarbans under Koira upazila on early Sunday following a five-hour long gunfight with the forest robbers.
Coast Guard members also seized 20 firearms, 310 rounds of bullets, 14 sharp weapons, two boats, 7 kg of venison and 27 bottles of Indian Phensidyl syrup from the den of the robbers.
The rescued identified as Asadul Islam, 35, son of Abdus Sattar of Goalkhali village in Koira upazila was kidnapped by the robbers belonging to the notorious ‘Alif Bahini’ for ransom.
M Sarwar Hossain, operation department commander of Coast Guard Mongla west zone, said being tipped off that 10-12 robbers belonging to the ‘Alif Bahini’ were preparing to commit robbery at fishermen’s trawlers, Coast Guard members conducted a drive in the Sunbarbans on Saturday night.
When the river force reached the Morakaga Khal area around 1 am, the robbers opened fire targeting the law enforcers forcing them to retaliate that triggered a gun battle.
The gunfight continued till 6am.
At one stage, the robbers retreated and left into the deep forest from their hideout.
Later, the Coast Guard members rescued abducted Asadul and made the recovery from the robbers’ den.
The recovered arms and weapons were handed over the police station concerned. A case was filed in connection with the incident.
Source: UNBConnect
