Pirate attack in Sundarbans, 20 fishermen abducted

Jan 24, 2026
Bangladesh

Photo: 20 fishermen abducted again by a group of pirates claiming to be ‘Don Force’ from Satkhira range, Sundarbans (Collected)

Staff Report: PNN

In the Satkhira range of the Sundarbans, 20 fishermen were once again abducted by pirates. A group of armed pirates claiming to be the ‘Don Force’ captured them late Friday night (23 January) from multiple rivers adjacent to the forest.

According to local sources, fishermen were taken hostage at gunpoint while fishing in Mahamuda, Chunkuri, and Malonch rivers. This is the second abduction incident in the same month. Earlier, on 19 January, the same group had abducted five fishermen demanding ransom.

Some of the released fishermen said that the leaders of the abducting group were Veto Shafikul and Shahajan. Although they had earlier surrendered arms to RAB and promised to return to normal life, they have been involved in pirate activities again over the past three months.

Out of the 20 abducted fishermen, 12 have been identified: Sadek Akkas, Abu Taher, Rajet Ali, Nazrul Gain, Shukur Ali, Abul Kalam, Ashikul, Hafizur, Asadul, Amjad Ali, Yusuf Ali, and Milan Hossain. They are residents of different villages in Shyamnagar Upazila. The identities of the remaining eight are yet to be confirmed.

The victims said that they went fishing in the Sundarbans on 17 January with permits from Kadamtala station. They stated, on condition of anonymity, that an eight-member pirate group stopped 20 boats along the river near Dobeki Coast Guard office and took one fisherman from each boat. They were later contacted through a mobile number.

Families of the abducted fishermen said the pirates demanded 40,000 taka per person as ransom and threatened to kill them if they informed the police or coast guard. As a result, families are in fear and are trying to negotiate reduced ransom without reporting to law enforcement.

Kadamtala station officer Monirul Islam confirmed that some fishermen were reported missing after taking permission from the station. The information has been forwarded to higher authorities.

Shyamnagar police officer in charge (OC) Md. Khaledur Rahman said that as of Saturday noon, no family had submitted a written complaint to the police. However, he said the matter is being investigated seriously, and necessary steps will be taken in coordination with the forest department and other law enforcement agencies.