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A special operation by Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard to find bodies of dead fishermen and resist pirates led to the recovery of 18 corpses on Tuesday.
Published : 02 Apr 2013, 09:39 AM
The bodies were found floating 20 miles east off the island of Kutubdia of Cox’s Bazaar District at a site where vessels anchor.
So far 21 corpses of missing fishermen have been found on Tuesday, according to a Navy official.
Chittagong District Additional Police Superintendent Mohammad Iltutmish had told bdnews24.com, local fishermen recovered three bodies from the sea, 25 kilometers off Sekerkhil on Monday evening.
“The Navy and the coast guard have started the operation in light of the current situation”, said Lt Commander Mohammad Yusuf in charge of the coast guard’s operation in Chittagong. He was referring to that increased pirate activity.
M Suhail, Director of Bangladesh Navy’s intelligence unit has confirmed the news of the operation.
BNS Meghna recovered 14 dead fishermen whereas BNS Barkat and a ‘Defender’ vessel found four dead bodies during their operation on Tuesday.
“There were reportedly 34 fishermen on board the three vessels, three of the attack’s survivors have claimed. According to the fishermen 10 more are still missing”, he said
“We are directing our search with that in mind. There is a special operation to catch those responsible as well. Every vessel is being searched”, said Suhail.
Navy vessels BNS Meghna, BNN Nirvoy, BNS Sangu, BNS Umar Farooq and BNS Sagar along with six speed boats are taking part in the operation.
The Coast Guard is providing them support with their vessels.
Three fishing trawlers were caught up in attack by pirates at sea on Mar 25. Some of the dead bodies started surfacing at sea on Monday.
The operation by Bangladesh Coast Guard and Navy will continue until Wednesday. Necessary actions will be taken after that, said Suhail.
“We are trying to hand over the dead bodies to the police at Kutubdia”, said Banshkhali Station OC Kamrul Islam.
