A joint operation led by the Bangladesh Coast Guard successfully rescued a resort owner and three tourists who had been abducted in the Sundarbans. The rescue took place on Sunday night (4 January) in the Gazi Fisheries area, close to the forest, during which six individuals allegedly involved in the crime were taken into custody.
The abduction occurred on Friday (2 January) afternoon, when the notorious forest gang led by Masum kidnapped the group from Kenua Canal in the Sundarbans and demanded a ransom of 40 lakh Taka.
Speaking to the media on Monday (5 January), Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq said, “At around 3:00 pm on Friday, seven people, including the owner of Golkanan Resort, went on a boat trip in Kenua Canal. At that time, Masum’s gang seized them. While some hostages were released, three tourists and the resort owner were held captive.”
Coast Guard sources confirmed that the abductors moved the captives to an undisclosed location in the Sundarbans and demanded ransom. Once the resort authorities reported the incident, a coordinated search operation was launched, involving the Coast Guard, Navy, police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Intelligence surveillance in the area was intensified.
During the operation, on Sunday night, Kuddus Haoladar (43), Md. Salam Box (24), and Mehedi Hasan (19)—associates of Masum—were apprehended near Golkanan Resort. Subsequently, Alam Matbor (38) was arrested in the Kailashganj area of the Sundarbans. On the same day, in Palerhat, under Rupsha Police Station in Khulna, Masum’s mother, Zaynabi Bibi (55), and Bkash agent Ayon Kundu (30) were detained while attempting to withdraw ransom money, amounting to 81,400 Taka.
Finally, using drone surveillance, two hostages and the resort owner were rescued from the Gazi Fisheries area of the Sundarbans. The rescued tourists have been safely handed over to their families, and the arrested accomplices are being processed for handover to the police. Meanwhile, efforts continue to apprehend the main gang leader, Masum Mridha, with ongoing intelligence operations and targeted raids.
The Coast Guard emphasised that operations will continue in the Sundarbans and coastal areas to ensure the safety of tourists and local residents.
Details of Arrested Suspects :
| No. | Name | Age | Role | Arrest Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuddus Haoladar | 43 | Accomplice of Masum | Near Golkanan Resort |
| 2 | Md. Salam Box | 24 | Accomplice of Masum | Near Golkanan Resort |
| 3 | Mehedi Hasan | 19 | Accomplice of Masum | Near Golkanan Resort |
| 4 | Alam Matbor | 38 | Accomplice of Masum | Kailashganj area |
| 5 | Zaynabi Bibi | 55 | Masum’s mother | Palerhat, Khulna |
| 6 | Ayon Kundu | 30 | Bkash agent | Palerhat, Khulna |