Operation Mangrove Shield: Coast Guard arrests notorious Sundarbans pirate 'Mejo Jahangir'
The alleged pirate leader was detained with firearms and ammunition during a midnight raid in the Sundarbans
Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested the alleged leader of the notorious "Mejo Jahangir Bahini" during a special operation in the Sundarbans under the ongoing "Operation Mangrove Shield."
The arrestee was identified as Md Zahidul Islam alias Mejo Jahangir, 56, from Naragati area in Narail district.
The information was disclosed at a press briefing this afternoon (12 May) by Lieutenant Ikra Mohammad Nasif, executive officer of the Coast Guard vessel BCGS Touhid.
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He said the operation was conducted based on intelligence reports that Mejo Jahangir was staying in the Kali Khal area under Dacope Police Station jurisdiction.
"This was the fourth operation conducted under Operation Mangrove Shield. Acting on secret information, Coast Guard Base Mongla launched a special drive in the area and arrested the pirate leader with firearms and ammunition," he said.
According to the Coast Guard, Mejo Jahangir had long been involved in piracy activities in the Sundarbans and allegedly extorted ransom money by holding local fishermen hostage.
Officials said legal procedures against the arrested suspect were underway.
The Coast Guard also said such operations would continue in an effort to make the Sundarbans completely free of pirates.
