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Joint forces have recovered 14 firearms, 274 rounds of ammunition, 23 empty cartridges, seven walkie-talkie sets and six bulletproof jackets hidden at different locations in the Sundarbans in Khulna following the surrender of members of pirate group Alif Bahini.
The forces concerned said the weapons and equipment had been buried about four months ago.
Speaking at a press conference at the headquarters of SRB-6 in Khulna on Monday, the force’s deputy commander, Major Md Nazmul Islam, said the pirates decided to surrender as it had become increasingly difficult for them to survive deep inside the forest amid continued joint-force operations.
Acting on information provided by the surrendered members, the forces later conducted operations at several locations in the forest and recovered the weapons and equipment.
The authorities said a special operation, titled “Operation Restore Peace in the Sundarbans”, was launched on March 2 to ensure the safety of forest-dependent people, including fishermen, bawalis and mouals.
The Coast Guard, SRB, local administration, river police and Forest Department are jointly conducting the operation.
As part of the campaign, an operation was conducted in the Sundarbans on October 7. Two days later, on October 9, a total of 15 members from two groups of Alif Bahini surrendered near the Ar Pangashia River.
Major Nazmul Islam said the members had no weapons with them at the time of surrender. Based on information they provided, the forces launched a search to recover the items hidden at different locations in the forest.
He said the operation had to be planned around tidal conditions and took two days to complete.
