Tourists held hostage by robbers in Sundarbans rescued
Six suspects were also arrested in the operation, said Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, media officer of the Coast Guard.
A joint team of coast guard, navy, police, and RAB rescued two tourists and a resort owner held captive by gang of robbers in the Sundarbans today (5 January).
Six suspects were also arrested in the operation, said Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, media officer of the Coast Guard.
He said a gang led by robber Masum Mridha kidnapped seven people – five tourists, a boatman, and the resort owner – from Gol Kanon Eco Resort near Kanurkhali on 2 January around 3pm while they were on a boat trip.
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Three tourists and the boatman were later released, but the two tourists and resort owner were held hostage for ransom.
After getting the information, coast guard launched an operation. Joint forces conducted combing searches and intensified surveillance across Sundarbans areas.
On Saturday (3 January), three gang members – Kuddus Hawladar, 43, Salam Box, 24, and Mehedi Hasan, 19 – were arrested near Gol Kanon Resort.
Later on Sunday (4 January), another associate, Alam Matabbar, 38, was arrested from the Kailashganj area of the Sundarbans.
On the same day, law enforcers arrested Masum's mother, Jaynabi Bibi, 55, and bKash agent Ayon Kundu, 30, in Palerhat area of Rupsa upazila, Khulna, with Tk81,400 in ransom cash withdrawn via mobile banking.
Drone surveillance on last evening (4 January) helped rescue the captives from an area near Gazi Fisheries, officials said.
The hunt for ringleader Masum Mridha continues, the release added.
Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul Haq said the rescued individuals are being handed over to their families, and the arrested suspects to police stations.
He added that coast guard will continue operations to ensure safety of tourists and people in Sundarbans and coastal areas.
