44 pirates arrested from Sandwip Channel
3 kidnapped by pirates in Khulna
Coastguards yesterday rounded up 44 pirates from Sandwip channel while a gang of pirates kidnapped three crab traders in Khulna the day before.
Our Staff Correspondent in Chittagong reports: Coastguards yesterday arrested 44 pirates while fleeing after looting a sugar-laden lighter vessel at Sandwip channel.
Being informed of robbery on MV Procedon, a team rushed to the spot on an anti-smuggling ship CGS Rupashi Bangla at around 2:00pm.
The coastguards intercepted the ship carrying the gang of pirates who were preparing to flee after looting sugar from the lighter vessel, said coastguard officer Lieutenant Fariduzzaman.
The pirates attacked the vessel at around 12:30pm and looted sugar taking the crews hostage at gun point, he said.
Sources said pirates attacked MV Procedon while it was heading for Narayanganj after loading sugar from another lighter vessel MV Prince of Shyamol as it was trapped in a char (newly emerged landmass) near Sandwip channel a week ago.
Staff Correspondent in Khulna reports: Pirates kidnapped at gun point three crab traders early Monday from their houses at Jorshing village under Koira upazila in the district.
The kidnapped traders were identified as Nawab Ali Jalil Gazi and Hafizul Sana.
According to police, the notorious pirates of the Sundarbans entered the village by mechanised boats.
While leaving the village after kidnapping the crab traders, they fired several blank shots.
The pirates then asked the family members of the victims to pay Tk 9 lakh ransom by Friday, said OC Alamgir Hossain of Koira police station.
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