Coast Guard steps up Sundarbans operations as 27 bandits surrender
Twenty-seven members of the Chhoto Jahangir gang, led by Jahangir Sheikh, surrendered to the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the Sundarbans, handing over 27 firearms and hundreds of cartridges.
The surrender took place near the Charputia canal, under the jurisdiction of Mongla Police Station in Bagerhat, at approximately 5:00pm on Monday, 13 July 2026.
The group handed over three foreign-made guns, one eight-shot firearm, one four-shot firearm, five locally made single-barrel guns, 15 locally made pipe guns, two Chinese pipe guns, 340 live cartridges, and 55 blank cartridges.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The Coast Guard identified those who surrendered as Jahangir Sheikh, 45; Mujahid Gazi, 27; Billal Sheikh, 35; Zahid Hasan, 28; Suman Dhali, 30; Ershad Shikari, 42; Wahiduzzaman, 30; Ayub Sheikh, 42; Rafsan Dhali, 30; Parvez Sheikh, 27; Kamrul Sheikh, 25; Zohurul Gazi, 38; Sirajul Tarafdar, 38; Aminul Islam, 40; Asadul Islam, 42; Babul Sheikh, 45; Shajahan Sheikh, 42; and Helal, 38.
They are residents of areas under Dacope, Koyra, and Batiaghata police stations in Khulna.
The others are Akram Sheikh, 45; Nurul Izardar, 50; Hasan Sheikh, 27; Kamrul Sheikh, 28; Zia Sheikh, 38; Kabir Sultan, 55; Kaiyum Jamaddar, 40; and Shariful Islam Boyati, 21, from Rampal, Fakirhat, Kachua, Morrelganj, and Sarankhola in Bagerhat.
Md Zainal Abedin, aged 38, is a resident of Mathbaria in Pirojpur.
According to the Coast Guard, the group had long been involved in robberies and the abduction of fishers and bawalis—traditional forest-resource collectors—for ransom in the Sundarbans.
The Coast Guard stated that arrangements for the rehabilitation of those who surrendered, as well as further legal action regarding them and the seized weapons and ammunition, are underway.
The latest surrender follows two special Coast Guard-led drives—"Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans" and "Operation Mangrove Shield"—conducted to suppress forest bandit groups and enhance security in coastal areas.
The Coast Guard reported that 45 forest bandits were detained with a substantial cache of arms and ammunition during the operations. Forty-two hostages were also rescued, given medical assistance, and reunited with their families.
Ongoing operations have placed active forest bandit groups under increasing pressure, disrupting their activities, according to the Coast Guard.
Previously, seven members of the Chhoto Suman gang and three active members of the Boro Jahangir gang surrendered with weapons and ammunition.
The Coast Guard urged all remaining forest bandits in the Sundarbans to surrender and return to normal life, stating that rehabilitation opportunities will be considered through the relevant authorities.
The Coast Guard warned that those continuing criminal activities will face strict legal action under the government's "zero tolerance" policy.
The Coast Guard confirmed that regular operations and intelligence activities will continue to ensure the Sundarbans remain safe and free from banditry.
