Small Jahangir Gang Leader Among 27 Surrenders in Sundarbans

The leader of the notorious Small Jahangir gang, along with 26 associates, has surrendered to the Bangladesh Coast Guard with a significant cache of firearms and ammunition, marking another major step in ongoing efforts to make the Sundarbans free from criminal groups.

The surrender took place at around 5:00pm on Monday, 13 July, near the Charputia canal area of the Sundarbans under Mongla police station in Bagerhat. Lieutenant Commander Savvir Alam Sujon of the Bangladesh Coast Guard’s media cell confirmed the development.

According to the Coast Guard, the surrender was the result of sustained operations aimed at restoring security in the world’s largest mangrove forest and protecting fishermen, forest workers and local communities who have long been vulnerable to attacks by armed gangs.

Under government directives, the Coast Guard has been conducting two major operations — ‘Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans’ and ‘Operation Mangrove Shield’ — to eliminate piracy and armed criminal activities from the region. The operations have resulted in the recovery of a large quantity of illegal weapons and ammunition, the arrest of dozens of forest criminals, and the rescue of fishermen and forest resource collectors who had been held hostage.

The force said 45 forest criminals have so far been arrested during these operations, while 42 fishermen and forest workers who were held captive by criminal groups have been rescued and later reunited with their families after receiving medical treatment.

The Coast Guard said continuous pressure from law enforcement operations had weakened the activities of several active gangs operating inside the Sundarbans. Before the latest surrender, seven members of the Small Sumon gang and three members of the Large Jahangir gang had also surrendered with weapons.

Following those developments, Small Jahangir gang chief Jahangir Sheikh decided to give up his armed activities along with his associates. During the surrender ceremony, the group handed over a large quantity of firearms and ammunition to the Coast Guard.

The surrendered weapons included three foreign-made guns, one eight-shot firearm, one four-shot firearm, five locally made single-barrel guns, 15 locally made pipe guns, two Chinese-made pipe guns, 340 rounds of live ammunition and 55 empty cartridges.

Among those who surrendered was gang leader Jahangir Sheikh, 45, along with several key members, including Mujahid Gazi, 27; Billal Sheikh, 35; Jahid Hasan, 28; Suman Dhali, 30; Ershad Shikari, 42; Wahiduzzaman, 30; Ayub Sheikh, 42; Rafsan Dhali, 30; Parvez Sheikh, 27; Karnul Sheikh, 25; Zahurul Gazi, 38; Sirajul Torofdar, 38; Aminul Islam, 40; Asadul Islam, 42; Babul Sheikh, 45; Shahjahan Sheikh, 42; and Helal, 38.

The majority of the surrendered members are residents of Paikgachha, Koyra and Batiaghata upazilas of Khulna. Some others are from different areas of Bagerhat, including Rampal, Fakirhat, Kachua, Mongla and Sharankhola, while one member is from Pirojpur district.

The Coast Guard stated that members of the gang had allegedly been involved for years in robbery, abduction, extortion and holding fishermen and forest workers hostage for ransom. Such activities have remained a serious security concern in the vast waterways and remote forest areas of the Sundarbans.

Legal proceedings against the surrendered individuals and the seized weapons are currently under process. The Coast Guard said those who have surrendered will be considered for rehabilitation opportunities under the government’s existing policy for former criminals who abandon illegal activities.

At the same time, the force warned that anyone continuing criminal operations in the Sundarbans would face strict action under the government’s zero-tolerance policy. Authorities said regular patrols, intelligence operations and security measures would continue to ensure the Sundarbans remains safe and free from armed gangs.