Sundarbans Becomes a Haven for Pirates

The Sundarbans was supposed to be a sanctuary for wildlife and nature. But the forest has now turned into a haven for forest and river pirates. Kidnapping, extortion, ransom demands and killings have made the world-famous mangrove forest increasingly dangerous.

The Sundarbans is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the world’s largest single mangrove forest. However, it has now become a haven for criminals involved in smuggling, forest piracy and drug trafficking.

At least three million people in Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna and other coastal areas depend on the Sundarbans for their livelihoods. It indirectly creates employment opportunities for another 10 million people. Some are fishermen, while others are honey collectors, golpata collectors, crab catchers and shrimp fry collectors. Many also earn their livelihoods by collecting snails and mussels from the rivers and canals that run through the forest and making lime from them.

Yet the livelihoods, safety and basic needs of these marginalised communities rarely become a matter of national concern. NGOs are often seen holding meetings on the Sundarbans’ biodiversity, the decline of endangered animals including the Royal Bengal Tiger, and the negative impacts of climate change. But is there enough concern about how the country’s administration is losing control over the Sundarbans as part of Bangladesh’s territory and waterways?

The question has emerged in view of the law-and-order situation in the Sundarbans following the July 2024 mass uprising and the events after August 5. Following the fall of the Awami League government, criminal networks operating in the Sundarbans have reportedly become more active.

From 2016 to 2018, an average of around 100 forest-dependent people were kidnapped in the Sundarbans each year. Taking advantage of what the article describes as weaknesses in law enforcement, the number of kidnappings has increased several times in recent months.

According to the report, more than 300 people were kidnapped in the Sundarbans in 2025 alone. Local fishermen, bawalis and crab catchers have been among the victims. Several kidnappings also took place early this year. In January, pirates kidnapped 18 fishermen at once from the Satkhira Range. In the same month, two foreign tourists and a resort owner were also kidnapped.

In May this year, armed pirates separately held between 22 and 30 forest-dependent people hostage from the Satkhira and Khulna ranges, demanding ransom. Last month, five more fishermen were kidnapped at gunpoint along with their trawler from the eastern zone of the Sundarbans.

After kidnapping ordinary fishermen, the pirates reportedly demand ransoms ranging from Tk 20,000 to Tk 80,000. From tourists, businessmen and resort owners, they reportedly demand between Tk 100,000 and Tk 4 million. It is easy to kidnap innocent and unarmed forest-dependent people. They are taken deep into the forest and held captive. The pirates then quickly collect ransom secretly through mobile banking services such as bKash.

Victims often choose to pay the ransom without informing the authorities because they believe this is the safest way to bring their relatives back alive. Those who try to seek help from the administration sometimes become victims of killings, according to the report.

Who Is Involved?

Criminal groups operating in the Sundarbans have formed at least two dozen notorious pirate gangs. These groups have different names and aliases. At one time, the Sundarbans was dominated by gangs such as the Don Gang, Master Gang led by Mostafa Sheikh, Sharif Gang, Karim-Sharif Gang and Zia Gang.

Later, groups including Boro Jahangir Gang, Master Gang, Anarul Gang, Aftab Gang, Afzal Gang, also known as the Duibhai Gang, and Mizan Gang became influential. Around 2018, several more groups emerged, including Nanabhai Gang led by Jahangir Morol, Fazlu Gang, Alif Gang, Shanti Gang, Dayal Gang, Majnu Gang, Chhoto Suman Gang, Asabur Gang, Rabiul Gang, Jonab Gang, Bhai Bhai Gang and Mama-Bhagne Gang.

These gangs are so heavily armed that the local police administration and Forest Department often find themselves at a disadvantage. The Sundarbans’ geography, maze-like waterways, easy targets, availability of victims, difficult communication routes, limitations of law enforcement agencies and support from local criminal networks have created favourable conditions for these armed groups to expand their criminal activities.

Open-source information indicates that geographical challenges and the lack of proper rehabilitation after surrender have contributed to the failure to control kidnapping and piracy in the Sundarbans. The groups have also received alleged patronage from dishonest influential people.

In 2018, the Sundarbans was declared “piracy-free.” However, the article says several new pirate groups have emerged, particularly after 2024. Through ransom and extortion, the leaders of these groups are allegedly making millions of taka. They also illegally extract valuable timber, golpata and other forest resources, as well as aquatic and wildlife resources.

Hundreds of deer are hunted, and tigers are also killed. The Sundarbans is also being used as a safe route for bringing drugs into the country. While communication systems used by the local administration may be limited, the armed groups reportedly maintain strong internal networks. Whenever a new person enters an area, information reportedly reaches the groups almost immediately.

Mobile networks do not work in the deep forest. In contrast, armed groups use walkie-talkies. This allows them to quickly change locations and escape after committing crimes. A group may have between six and 60 members. Sometimes one group breaks apart and forms a separate armed group. When trust breaks down, gunfights can take place within the groups. Anyone considered a threat may be eliminated.

At least 135 forest pirates have reportedly been killed in internal conflicts in recent years. Innocent forest-dependent people also die every year after being tortured by pirates when ransoms are not paid. Their bodies are often buried deep inside the forest after they are killed, leaving no official record of many such deaths. The article also questions the silence of voluntary organisations over these acts of piracy, criminal activity and brutal killings.

According to open sources, rival pirate groups in the Sundarbans are constantly engaged in struggles for control. Leadership disputes, the distribution of ransom money and looted goods, and deep mistrust have led to repeated acts of internal sabotage.

The main source of income for the pirates is kidnapping fishermen, golpata collectors and honey collectors and demanding ransom. A large portion of the ransom reportedly goes to the gang leader or second-in-command, while ordinary members often receive little or nothing.

This unequal distribution of criminal proceeds creates resentment, which sometimes develops into internal rebellion or plans to kill the leader. When a gang becomes large and influential, its second-in-command may aspire to become the leader of a new gang. It is common among Sundarbans pirates for dissatisfied members to leave and form new groups with their loyal followers.

In this way, the notorious Master Gang once split into the Ilias Gang and Sagar Gang. These two groups later also experienced internal divisions. Sources say members sometimes leak confidential information about their own groups to law enforcement agencies or rival gangs. Those caught leaking information were reportedly subjected to secret killings. In some cases, gang leaders themselves also became victims of such killings.

Weapons Used by the Pirate Gangs

The weapons used by these gangs can be partly understood from several surrender ceremonies. The Master Gang was once a major source of fear for fishermen, honey collectors, forest workers and tourists in the Sundarbans. The notorious gang was formed under the leadership of Mostafa Sheikh, also known as Kader Master. His gang used to hold boats and fishermen hostage and demand large ransoms.

On June 1, 2016, Mostafa Sheikh alias Kader Master surrendered to the government along with nine members of his gang and handed over their weapons. During the surrender near the jetty area of Mongla Port, members of his gang handed over 52 locally and foreign-made firearms and around 4,500 rounds of ammunition.

At the time of his surrender, Mostafa Sheikh alias Kader Master pledged to return to normal life. Mostafa Sheikh alias Kader Master is from the Katakhali area of Rampal upazila in Bagerhat. His father, Abdul Latif Sheikh, was a fish trader in the Sundarbans.

Why Some Pirates Do Not Surrender

Even when these pirate groups want to surrender, they are sometimes unable to do so.
When the government offers an opportunity to surrender, including a general amnesty and rehabilitation, two groups can emerge within a gang. One side may want to surrender while the other opposes the move.

Some pirates also provide information about secret arms caches to the government in the hope of receiving rewards. When a gang leader becomes estranged from a member, another powerful rival gang may lure that member away with promises of money and influence.

Even after the Sundarbans was declared “piracy-free” in 2016, divisions continued among the gangs. Internal conflicts subsequently developed. Many members of Mostafa Sheikh alias Kader Master’s gang could not accept his surrender. They therefore formed separate gangs and continued piracy.

A new gang reportedly formed over allegations that some pirates had leaked information is now determined to take revenge against Mostafa Sheikh alias Kader Master.

59 Pirates Surrender

Amid continuous operations by law enforcement agencies, 59 members, including the leaders of five active pirate gangs, surrendered on August 31. They included 16 members of the Boro Jahangir Gang, 13 from the Anarul Gang, 15 from the Afzal alias Dulabhai Gang, eight from the Aftab Gang and seven from the Mizan Gang.

They surrendered 59 firearms and 541 rounds of ammunition. Recent official reporting also confirms the August 31 surrender of 59 members from five active gangs and the recovery of 59 firearms and 541 rounds of ammunition.

Return to Piracy After Surrender

Under pressure from law enforcement agencies, the Coast Guard and Forest Department security personnel, several pirate groups had previously surrendered their weapons to the government. However, some later returned to piracy for various reasons.

After the Sundarbans was declared “piracy-free” in 2018, some forest pirates surrendered. Later, citing delays in rehabilitation, legal complications and fears of being killed by rival groups, some returned to their former activities.

Some brought together former members and formed new gangs. Others formed new groups with a mix of former and new members. Among the groups that returned to piracy after surrender, according to the article, are the Boro Jahangir Gang led by Jahangir Morol, the Nana Bhai Gang, and the Fazlu Gang, which was formed by the former second-in-command of the surrendered Shanti Gang.

The Dulabhai Gang also became active again after surrender. The Sharif Gang and Karim-Sharif Gang are currently active in the eastern and western parts of the Sundarbans, reportedly kidnapping fishermen and collecting ransom.

Other active groups include the Chhoto Jahangir Gang, Asabur Gang, Rabiul Gang, Jonab Gang, Chhoto Suman Gang, Bhai Bhai Gang and Mama-Bhagne Gang. Recent reports also show continued anti-piracy operations, including the surrender of members of the Chhoto Suman and Chhoto Jahangir gangs.

Coast Guard and the “Missing Drama”

Despite limitations such as shortages of modern equipment and manpower, the Forest Department, Naval Police, police, RAB and other law enforcement agencies often pose a challenge to the pirates’ activities. As a result, several armed groups have chosen to surrender since 2016.

However, for groups that have adopted piracy as a lifelong “livelihood,” law enforcement agencies remain a major obstacle. In particular, increased law enforcement presence or surveillance in strategic points used for criminal activities creates serious problems for the gangs.

The pirates sometimes respond by launching armed attacks on law enforcement personnel.
The Nandabala Khal area in the western zone of the Sundarbans under Mongla upazila had once become a stronghold of pirates. To combat river piracy in the area, a Bangladesh Coast Guard pontoon was stationed there on January 10, 2015.

Despite technical and manpower limitations, the Coast Guard’s activities in the area and near Harbaria were praised for helping curb crime. Local forest workers and organisations including the Tour Operators Association of Sundarbans, Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, Bangladesh Launch Labour Association, Mongla Port Majhi-Malla Association, Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association and Mongla Upazila Shipping Painting Union reportedly regained confidence in conducting their professional activities.

However, Joymonir Ghol under Mongla Police Station is described in the article as another major strategic point for forest and river pirates. Following repeated requests from local professionals, the Bangladesh Coast Guard’s Harbaria Station floating pontoon was moved to Joymonir Ghol on January 6 last year to prevent widespread pirate activities.

The presence of the Coast Guard reportedly increased discomfort among the pirate groups. Local forest workers and residents welcomed the Coast Guard’s presence, while it created fear among the pirates. Extortion from fishermen, ransom demands, wildlife hunting and timber smuggling were reportedly disrupted. The Sundarbans also became less attractive as a route for bringing drugs into Bangladesh.

As a result, the pirate groups allegedly became determined to remove the Coast Guard pontoon, which had become a source of risk and pressure for their activities. In particular, continuous surveillance through drones and several successful operations reportedly increased fear among the pirates.

Although the pirate groups were involved in internal conflicts, the Coast Guard’s Harbaria pontoon became a common target.
The groups allegedly carried out several surprise attacks on the pontoon and removed cameras and other equipment.

The Disappearance of Miraj Sheikh
According to the article, the pirates found an opportunity on April 10. Miraj Sheikh, 30, son of notorious Master Gang leader Mostafa Sheikh alias Kader Master, suddenly went missing from Joymonir Ghol Bazar, also known as Thotar Mor, in Mongla, Bagerhat.

In the evening, reports spread that Miraj Sheikh could not be found. His wife Mukta Khatun, mother Taslima Begum and sister Liza Islam alleged that Miraj Sheikh had been taken away by plainclothes personnel. The allegation quickly spread throughout the area. It was also alleged that Miraj, who had worked with the Chhoto Suman Gang, had been “disappeared.”

The allegations were directed toward members of the Coast Guard stationed at the floating pontoon in Joymonir Ghol. Within days, attention shifted from the pirates of the Sundarbans to the Coast Guard personnel stationed there. The incident led to a press conference, an attack on the Coast Guard station and a case filed by Coast Guard personnel, according to the report.

The issue later became a subject of discussion among NGOs and human rights groups. The allegations surrounding Miraj’s disappearance remain disputed. His family alleged that Coast Guard personnel took him away, while the Coast Guard denied detaining him. The High Court later ordered authorities to produce Miraj before it and report on his whereabouts and safety.

It raises the question of whether the incident could be part of an attempt by pirate groups and their alleged local political supporters to damage the reputation of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, which was established in 1994.

Need for Stronger Surveillance

Security analysts believe the country should not allow the Sundarbans, an important natural resource, to be undermined by the tactics of pirate groups. They say surveillance should be increased at strategic points used by criminals to ensure overall national security, maintain law and order and control piracy.

The Sundarbans is not a forest area separate from Bangladesh. The article argues that the government needs to address shortages of modern equipment and manpower and ensure a continuous presence of the local administration, Forest Department, law enforcement agencies and Coast Guard in the area.