Around 68 fishermen kidnapped by pirates from different canals of the Sundarbans were released Sunday night in the wake of a combing operation launched by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR).BDR sources quoting locals said some 70 fishermen were taken hostage allegedly by Indian pirates from Kachhikata, Kalirchar and Dobeki canals of the forest on November 18 night while they were asleep in their boats.
The pirates later took them to the deep forest and demanded Tk 10 lakh as ransom for their release. They also set a 7-day deadline for payment of the ransom.
Following the kidnap, BDR seven battalion personnel started the combing operation against the pirates to rescue the fishermen. The operation forced the pirates to release the fishermen, BDR sources said.
But the pirates have still kept two fishermen as hostage to realise the ransom demanded by them, locals said.
Major Alamgir, acting commanding officer of the rifles battalion, confirmed the incident and said the drive is going on to rescue other fishermen.