Coast Guard Gunfight with Notorious Karim Sharif Gang in Sundarbans; 3 Active Members Arrested with Weapons and Ammunition

Under “Operation Mangrove Shield,” the Bangladesh Coast Guard engaged in a gunfight with the notorious Karim Sharif pirate gang in the Sundarbans and arrested three active members along with weapons and ammunition. The information was confirmed on Friday, May 15, 2026, by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon. Under the direct instructions of the Home Minister, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has been conducting two special operations—“Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans” and “Operation Mangrove Shield”—to eliminate all active forest pirate groups operating in the Sundarbans region. As part of the continued success of these operations, Coast Guard personnel carried out another অভিযান under Operation Mangrove Shield and arrested three active members of the notorious Karim Sharif gang with arms and ammunition. According to intelligence sources, members of the Karim Sharif gang were staying near Mora Chanmia Khal adjacent to the Shyala River in the Sundarbans under Shoronkhola Police Station in Bagerhat district. Based on this information, Coast Guard Base Mongla and Station Kokilmoni launched a two-day special operation in the area beginning at 5 PM on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. During the operation, the pirate group opened fire after sensing the presence of the Coast Guard. In self-defense, Coast Guard members returned fire. Facing strong resistance, the pirates attempted to flee, but the operation team chased them and successfully arrested three active members of the Karim Sharif gang. Authorities recovered 3 single-barrel guns, 1 locally made pistol, 49 rounds of live cartridges, 187 rounds of airgun pellets, 2 walkie-talkies, and 4 walkie-talkie chargers from the detainees. The arrested individuals were identified as Md. Mehedi Hasan (25) and Md. Ramzan Sharif (19) from Morrelganj upazila of Bagerhat district, and Md. Enayet (25) from Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district. During preliminary interrogation, the detainees admitted that they had long been active members of the Karim Sharif gang and were involved in robbery, kidnapping fishermen and wood collectors, and extorting ransom money in the Sundarbans. It is worth mentioning that on May 13, with the assistance and coordination of the Forest Department, the Coast Guard rescued four fishermen who had been held hostage by the Karim Sharif gang. Legal procedures regarding the seized weapons, ammunition, and arrested gang members are currently underway. The Coast Guard stated that such operations against pirates and their collaborators will continue in the future to make the Sundarbans completely free from criminal gangs.