TBM Report
The Bangladesh Forest Department has rescued four fishermen found with their limbs bound following a high-stakes gunfight with forest bandits in the Sundarbans. The confrontation occurred on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) around 10:00 AM in the Singartek area under the Sharankhola Range of the Sundarbans East Forest Division. During the operation, forest guards seized a high-speed engine boat belonging to the outlaws, along with a firearm and ammunition.
According to forest officials, the bandits initiated an unprovoked attack when two patrol teams—the Shelar Char and Sharankhola Smart Patrolling units—approached a suspicious vessel. The guards returned fire in self-defense, forcing the bandits to abandon their boat and flee into the dense forest. Shariiful Islam, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) for the Sharankhola Range, stated that the criminals fired in two phases, including once when the guards were returning with the rescued hostages.
The rescued fishermen, identified as residents of Bagerhat and Khulna, were found in a harrowing condition inside the seized trawler. They reported being abducted by the notorious ‘Sharif Bahini,’ an outlawed gang operating within the mangroves. The victims were held for ransom and described their ordeal as a near-death experience before the intervention of the patrolling teams. Fortunately, no casualties were reported among the forest officials despite the exchange of gunfire.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Division, confirmed that the rescued individuals are currently under the protection of the Shelar Char patrol post. “We have initiated the legal process to reunite them with their families,” he added. Authorities have intensified security surveillance in the region to prevent the resurgence of criminal gangs and ensure the safety of those dependent on the forest for their livelihood.
 around 10:00 AM in the Singartek area under the Sharankhola Range of the Sundarbans East Forest Division. During the operation, forest guards seized a high-speed engine boat belonging to the outlaws, along with a firearm and ammunition.){kind=link}