Four alleged pirates have been killed in the Sundarbans in what the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) described as shootout.
The incident was reported around 12am on Wednesday (May 29) near from Jongla Khal area in the Chandpai range of the Sundarbans East Zone, said RAB.
Among the deceased, only the ringleader Hasan has been identified. The identities of the remaining members could not yet be determined.
“A RAB patrol team was making its usual rounds near the area when it came face-to-face with the Hasan Bahini (local pirate ring) members. Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the pirates opened fire on them, forcing them to retaliate, which triggered the shootout,” said RAB-8 Additional Superintendent of Police Md Tajul Islam.

 “After the 30-minute long shootout, RAB found four bodies at the scene. The ringleader of the Hasan Bahini was among them,” said Islam.

A large number of firearms and ammunition were seized from the spot,” added the elite force official.