Coast Guard members have detained two members of notorious Karim Sharif gang, a Sunderbans-based robbery gang, and rescued two fishermen held hostage by the gang during separate operations in Dacope upazila in Khulna.
The arrested were Md Shahjahan Mollah, 48, of Dacope upazila in Khulna, and Md Suman Hawlader, 30, of Mongla upazila in Bagerhat.
The rescued fishermen were Azizul Sheikh, 55, and Alam Gazi, 37, both residents of Paikgachha upazila in Khulna.
Lieutenant Commander Sayeam-ul Haque, media officer of the Coast Guard, said tipped off, the Coast Guard launched a joint drive with police at about 11:00pm on Saturday in Kamar Khola area near the Sunderbans under Dacope upazila.
During the drive, Shahjahan Molla was detained along with a single-barrel gun, two rounds of cartridges, and one blank cartridge.
Another member of the gang, Suman Hawlader, was detained from the Naliyan Thakur Bari Ferry Ghat area near the Sunderbans around 3:00am on Sunday.
During primary interrogation, the arrested reportedly confessed to their long-standing involvement with the Karim Sharif gang, including participation in robberies and supplying weapons, ammunition, and other essentials to the gang.
The Coast Guard members rescued the two fishermen, had reportedly been held captive since April 8, from the Arshibasa river area near the Sundarbans around 5:00am on Sunday.
Legal proceedings are underway to hand over the arrestees and seized firearms to Dacope Police Station while the rescued fishermen have been reunited with their families.
The Coast Guard continues its round-the-clock patrols in the coastal and riverside regions to maintain law and order which has significantly improved in recent times and such operations will continue to free the Sunderbans from criminal activities, the Coast Guard official added.