27 members of 'Chhoto Jahangir Bahini', largest pirate gang of Sundarbans, surrender with arms

Twenty-seven members of the Sundarbans' largest forest pirate gang, the "Chhoto Jahangir Bahini", including its leader Jahangir Sheikh, have surrendered to the Bangladesh Coast Guard along with a cache of firearms and ammunition.

The group formally surrendered around 5pm yesterday (13 July) in the Charputia canal area of the Sundarbans, the Coast Guard said.

The information was confirmed today (14 July) by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan.

According to the Coast Guard, the pirates handed over three foreign-made firearms, one eight-shooter, one four-shooter, five locally made single-barrel guns, 15 locally made pipe guns, two Chinese pipe guns, 340 rounds of live ammunition and 55 rounds of blank cartridges.

Most of the surrendering members are residents of Dakop, Koyra and Batiaghata upazilas in Khulna district, and Rampal, Fakirhat, Kachua, Morelganj and Sarankhola upazilas in Bagerhat district. One member is from Mathbaria upazila in Pirojpur district.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir said legal procedures against the surrendering pirates and the seized weapons are underway. He added that the government would take steps to rehabilitate them under its reintegration programme and help them return to normal life.

The Coast Guard also urged all active forest pirates in the Sundarbans to surrender and warned that those continuing criminal activities would face strict legal action under the government's zero-tolerance policy.

According to Coast Guard officials, members of the Chhoto Jahangir Bahini had long been involved in robbery, kidnapping fishermen and woodcutters, and extorting ransom in the Sundarbans.

To strengthen security in the mangrove forest and eliminate piracy, the Coast Guard has been conducting two special operations, "Operation Restore Peace in Sundarban" and "Operation Mangrove Shield" under government directives.

The Coast Guard said the operations have so far led to the arrest of 45 forest pirates and the seizure of a large quantity of arms and ammunition. Authorities have also rescued 42 hostages alive and returned them to their families after providing medical treatment.

The Sundarbans has a long history of forest piracy.

Between 31 May 2016 and 1 November 2018, 328 members of 32 pirate gangs surrendered to the RAB, handing over 462 firearms and a large quantity of ammunition. The then prime minister declared the Sundarbans pirate-free on 1 November 2018.

According to RAB-6, the force conducted more than 370 operations from its inception until July 2024, arresting 911 forest pirates and recovering 2,028 firearms and 42,690 rounds of ammunition.

However, following the mass uprising on 5 August 2024 and the subsequent deterioration in law and order, pirate groups re-emerged in the Sundarbans, officials said. Responsibility for tackling forest piracy was later assigned to the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard officials claimed that sustained operations have once again put the Sundarbans on the path to becoming pirate-free.

They said regular operations, increased patrols in piracy hotspots and enhanced intelligence activities are continuing to dismantle the remaining pirate groups.

Earlier, seven members of "Chhoto Suman Bahini" and three members of "Boro Jahangir Bahini" surrendered with weapons and ammunition.

The latest surrender by Jahangir Sheikh and 26 of his associates marks the largest such surrender in recent months.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir said regular operations and intelligence activities would continue until the Sundarbans is completely free of piracy and safe for local communities.