Bangladesh Coast Guard arrested three alleged Jonab gang members and recovered arms in the Sundarbans during a special operation aimed at eliminating forest-based criminal networks and ensuring security.
The Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested three active members of the notorious Jonab gang and recovered arms and ammunition during a special operation in the Sundarbans, officials said on Wednesday.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon said the arrests were made under “Operation Mangrove Shield”, one of two ongoing special drives aimed at eliminating all active forest-based criminal groups from the Sundarbans region.
The operation forms part of broader efforts led by the Bangladesh Coast Guard under “Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans” and “Operation Mangrove Shield”, launched in line with government directives to eradicate forest bandit groups operating in the world’s largest mangrove forest.
According to the Coast Guard, intelligence information indicated that members of the notorious Jonab gang were staying near the Kalinchi Sluice Gate area under Shyamnagar Police Station in Satkhira district.
Acting on the information, personnel from Coast Guard Station Kaikhali conducted a special raid in the area at around 6:00 pm on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. During the operation, three active members of the Jonab gang were arrested.
Based on information obtained from the detainees, Coast Guard personnel launched another operation later that night. At around 11:00 pm, they recovered a single-barrel gun and two rounds of live ammunition from an area adjacent to Harintana Canal under Shyamnagar Police Station.
The arrested men were identified as Ajibar Gazi, 47, Robiul Gazi, 44, and Faruk Hossain, 36. All three are residents of Shyamnagar in Satkhira district.
Authorities said the suspects had long been active members of the Jonab gang and were involved in robbery activities across the Sundarbans. They were also accused of taking fishermen and bawalis hostage and extorting ransom from them.
Legal procedures regarding the recovered weapon, ammunition and the arrested suspects are currently underway, the Coast Guard said.
Lieutenant Commander Sujon also alleged that certain vested groups and criminal networks have been attempting to undermine the Coast Guard’s image and question its anti-crime operations by spreading misleading and baseless information.
Despite such efforts, he said, the Coast Guard would continue its anti-bandit operations and intelligence activities to make the Sundarbans completely free from criminal gangs and ensure the safety of people working in the forest region.
