Bagerhat Correspondent

In a major breakthrough toward making the world's largest mangrove forest crime-free, 27 active members of the notorious pirate gang "Chhoto Jahangir Bahini," including its chief, surrendered to the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

The surrender took place along with a massive cache of firearms and ammunition on Monday afternoon.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, Media Officer of the Bangladesh Coast Guard informed this in a press release.

The gang, led by Jahangir Sheikh, officially surrendered at approximately 5:00 PM on July 13 near the Charputia Khal adjacent area under Mongla Police Station in Bagerhat district. During the surrender, the pirates handed over 3 foreign-made guns, 1 eight-shooter, one four-shooter, 5 local single-barrel guns, 15 local pipe guns, 2 Chinese pipe guns, 340 rounds of live ammunition, and 55 rounds of blank cartridges to the law enforcement agency.

The surrendered individuals have been identified as gang leader Jahangir Sheikh (45), Mujahid Gazi (27), Billal Sheikh (35), Jahid Hasan (28), Suman Dhali (30), Ershad Shikari (42), Wahiduzzaman (30), Ayub Sheikh (42), Rafsan Dhali (30), Parvez Sheikh (27), Kamrul Sheikh (25), Johurul Gazi (38), Sirajul Tarafder (38), Aminul Islam (40), Asadul Islam (42), Babul Sheikh (45), Shajahan Sheikh (42), and Helal (38)—all hailing from Dacope, Koyra, and Batiaghata upazilas of Khulna district.

The remaining members are Akram Sheikh (45), Nurul Izarder (50), Hasan Sheikh (27), Kamrul Sheikh (28), Zia Sheikh (38), Kabir Sultan (55), Kaiyum Jamadder (40), and Shariful Islam Boyati (21) from Rampal, Fakirhat, Kachua, Morrelganj, and Sharankhola upazilas of Bagerhat district; alongside Md. Joynal Abedin (38) from Mathbaria upazila of Pirojpur district. As members of the Chhoto Jahangir gang, these individuals had long been terrorizing the Sundarbans by holding fishermen, honey collectors (mouvals), and woodcutters (bawalis) hostage for ransom.

According to the Coast Guard, the pirates chose to surrender after being cornered by two continuous specialized operations, "Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans" and "Operation Mangrove Shield." Prior to this event, 7 members of the "Chhoto Suman Bahini" and 3 active members of the "Boro Jahangir Bahini" had also surrendered under administrative pressure, while 45 other pirates were arrested and 42 hostages rescued alive in recent drives.

The Coast Guard media official stated that legal procedures regarding the surrendered weapons and individuals are currently underway, and initiatives for their rehabilitation will be processed through higher authorities. He urged all remaining active forest robbers to surrender and return to normal life, warning that the government's "zero-tolerance" policy would be strictly enforced against those who choose to continue their criminal activities.