Operation Sundarbans: 5 killed

Kamal Hossain Talukder bdnews24.com staff correspndent The Sundarbans, Mar 16 (bdnews24.com)—A special team of RAB, on a mission to eject outlaws from the world's largest mangrove forest, began an assault on gangsters who often abduct people, killing at least five of them so far, a spokesman said. A 150-strong RAB team, helped by helicopter, launched the offensive at 8:30am and five bodies were found after an hour of gunfight near the Morabhola canal, Sharankhola, Bagherhat. "We were tipped off that known pirates such as Shohag, Jihad and Gama would meet near the canal and launch a joint operation," RAB additional DG Col Mujibur Rahman told bdnews24.com. "We could identify the location of these pirates using helicopter," the RAB colonel said. "Then we formed a cordon around their location and began closing in on them when they opened fire. "This triggered a gunfight." The gunfight stopped at around 9:30am, and RAB officials said they found five bodies inside the woods. The colonel said his men saw their hiding places, kitchen and a boat. They also found 11 guns of different types and many bullets. RAB officials say at least six terror gangs have been active in Sharankhola (Sundarbans), Satkhira, Chadpai and Khulna ranges. They say these criminals often hold fishermen from sea-going trawlers to ransom and carry out other forms of piracy. M Sohail, the RAB media director, told bdnews24.com that the dead were yet to be identified by their name or their allegiance to specific gangs. bdnews24.com/corr/kt/jk/tik/1130h.