Fisherman Killed in Raipura Robbery, Body Recovered 17 Hours Later

A young fisherman was shot dead by suspected river pirates while fishing in the Meghna River in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi, highlighting persistent security concerns along Bangladesh’s major waterways. His body was recovered approximately 17 hours after the attack, according to local authorities and residents.

The victim, Md Hedayetullah, 22, was a resident of Fakirerchar village under Srinagar Union in Raipura. He earned his livelihood through fishing in the Meghna River, a vast waterway that supports thousands of fishermen but is also occasionally plagued by incidents of piracy and armed robbery.

According to family members, Hedayetullah had gone fishing on Friday night with his uncle, Chanu Mia. The pair were casting nets in the river when a speedboat approached their small fishing vessel at around midnight. Witnesses said several armed men aboard the speedboat advanced towards them carrying locally made weapons and firearms.

Sensing danger, the two fishermen jumped into the river in an attempt to escape. However, the attackers allegedly opened fire at them as they tried to flee. Chanu Mia managed to swim to safety and reach the riverbank, but Hedayetullah went missing in the darkness and strong current.

Local residents and fellow fishermen launched a search operation early Saturday morning, navigating various stretches of the Meghna River with small boats. After hours of searching, villagers spotted Hedayetullah’s body floating in the river near the site of the attack at approximately 5:30 p.m. His body was then recovered and brought ashore.

Police from the Mirzarchar River Outpost, which falls under Raipura Police Station, rushed to the scene upon receiving the news. Officers prepared an inquest report before sending the body to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination.

Chanu Mia, who survived the attack, described the terrifying ordeal. He said the sudden assault by the pirates left them disoriented and fearful for their lives. According to him, the attackers numbered about five and were travelling in a speedboat.

“We were completely stunned when they appeared out of nowhere. We jumped into the river to save ourselves, but they fired at us. I somehow managed to swim to shore, but my nephew disappeared. I want justice for his killing,” he said.

Local Union Parishad member Jalal Uddin stated that preliminary observations revealed multiple bullet injuries on the victim’s body. The shots had struck Hedayetullah in the left ear, neck, and cheek, indicating he may have died shortly after being hit.

Residents also noted that Hedayetullah was the sole breadwinner of his impoverished family. He regularly spent long nights fishing in the Meghna River and sold his catch in nearby markets to support his household.

The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of fishermen in the riverine char areas, where limited law enforcement presence and vast waterways sometimes allow criminal groups to operate.

Raipura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Mojibur Rahman confirmed that river police had sent the body for autopsy and that legal procedures were underway. Authorities said an investigation had been launched to identify the attackers and bring them to justice.

Key Details of the Incident

Local fishermen have urged authorities to increase river patrols and strengthen security measures along the Meghna to prevent similar tragedies in the future.