Coast Guard-Navy joint drive against pirates in Bay
Unb, Bagerhat
More than 3,000 members of the Coast Guard and the Navy have launched joint operations to capture pirates in the Bay of Bengal in the wake of increasing criminal activities by sea robbers.Some 17 naval vessels along with over 3,000 coast guards and naval forces are taking part in the joint operations. The offshore police station and outposts have been kept on alert so that the pirates could not take shelter in offshore areas during the operation, an official source said. Dublarchar, Kochikhali, Akram Point, Tentulia, Kuakata, Khepupara, Amtala and other points were identified as pirate-infested areas. Coast Guard West Zone, Mongla Commander Anwar Hossain said the combined operations were being carried out after identifying certain points in the Bay. However, no report of arrest was received as of yesterday. In the last one month, the pirates launched attacks on over 500 fishing trawlers and looted fishing nets, fish and other goods worth about Tk 10 crore. Two fishermen were killed and more than 300 others injured in the pirates' attacks during the period. The pirates also kidnapped nearly 300 fishermen and seized several trawlers to press for the release of their accomplices. On July 5 and 11, the Coast Guards and the sea robbers had traded fire, resulting in the death of two pirates.
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