Staff Correspondent

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has called on all active pirates in the Sundarbans to surrender promptly, reaffirming the government’s “zero tolerance” policy.

Those who surrender will be given an opportunity for rehabilitation; those who do not will face stricter action, said Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan, Coast Guard media officer, during a briefing on Thursday.

To ensure overall security in the Sundarbans, the Bangladesh Coast Guard is operating with maximum professionalism, vigilance and a firm stance. Under the current government’s directives, and with the goal of eliminating all active pirate gangs in the Sundarbans and ensuring safety for local fishermen, bawalis, mawalis and forest-dependent communities, the Coast Guard is leading two special operations: “Operation Restore Peace in the Sundarbans” and “Operation Mangrove Shield.”

As part of these operations, from 12 February 2026 to date, the Coast Guard has recovered 26 domestic and foreign firearms, 10 live rounds, 178 live cartridges, 25 blank cartridges, 187 airgun pellets and 2 walkie-talkies. It has also arrested 21 pirates and rescued 20 hostages held by them, providing necessary medical care before safely returning them to their families.

Thanks to the Coast Guard’s sustained and successful operations, active pirate gangs in the Sundarbans are now under severe pressure. Due to close surveillance, intelligence activity and regular raids, pirates are increasingly failing to carry out their operations. As a result, notorious pirate leader Suman Howlader of the “Chhoto Suman” gang, along with his associates, has decided to surrender to the Coast Guard.

On Sunday at 11:00 p.m., a total of seven pirates, including gang leader Suman Howlader, surrendered to the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the Nandabala Khal area of the Sundarbans under Mongla Police Station, Bagerhat. At the time, the Coast Guard seized 3 locally made single-barrel guns, 2 locally made pipe guns, 25 live cartridges and 3 blank cartridges from them.

The surrendered pirates are: Suman Howlader (32). Rabiul Mallik (25), Rafiq Sheikh (29),- Siddiq Howlader (40), - Golam Mallik (38) and Ismail Khan (31) – all residents of Mongla Police Station, Bagerhat and-Mahfuz Mallik (34) is a resident of Rampal Police Station, Bagerhat

For years, they had been involved in robbery in the Sundarbans and in abducting fishermen and bawalis to extort ransom.

Legal proceedings, including arrangements for rehabilitation of the surrendered pirates, are underway in respect of the seized arms and ammunition.

The Coast Guard said some vested interest groups and unscrupulous circles have been spreading misleading and baseless information to tarnish its image and undermine crime suppression efforts. However, no propaganda or misinformation will deter the Coast Guard’s ongoing operations and anti-piracy drive. Cooperation from all stakeholders is crucial in this regard.

The Coast Guard’s relentless operations and firm stance have already weakened and fragmented active pirate gangs in the Sundarbans. The Coast Guard calls on all remaining active pirates to abandon piracy and surrender, enabling them to return to normal life. Those willing to reintegrate will be provided rehabilitation opportunities through the higher authorities after surrender. Those who continue criminal activities will face tougher legal action under the government’s “zero tolerance” policy.

The Coast Guard will maintain regular operations and intelligence activities to keep the Sundarbans completely free of pirates and safe. With government directives, public cooperation, and coordinated efforts by other law enforcement agencies, the Sundarbans can be made fully pirate-free, the Coast Guard expressed optimism.