Four suspected members of a pirate group were killed in a shootout with the Rapid Action Battalion in the Sundarbans on Monday.
According to RAB Director (Law and Media) Mufti Mahmud Khan, a RAB-8 team arrested four pirates of “Arif Bahini” in Chandpai Range and gathered information on the group’s movements.
The RAB team laid an ambush for the pirates in Jongrar canal near the Pashur River around 12 noon Monday.
The RAB spokesperson said the pirates saw the RAB team and opened fire on them. The ensuing shootout lasted for nearly an hour, ending with the pirates retreating, but the four pirates in custody were allegedly shot by their compatriots.
When the RAB team scoured the area, they found three single-barrel rifles, one double-barrel shotgun, one locally-assembled handgun, 62 rounds and 54 blank rounds.
The four injured pirates were taken to the local medical center, where doctors pronounced them dead.
Authorities identified the deceased as Raju, 24, Sohel, 30, Rubel, 27, and Halim, 31. The latter three are siblings and all are residents of Namarchar in Mongla, Bagerhat.
The RAB spokesperson said a case will be filed with Dakop police station.
Earlier in November 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the Sundarbans pirate-free. RAB has been deeply involved to ensure it stays that way.
