Two fishermen shot by ‘pirates’ in Bay of Bengal

Two fishermen have been injured in an alleged pirate attack while fishing in the Bay of Bengal near the Sundarbans.

The incident occurred around 4am on Saturday near Narikelbaria, Golam Mostofa Chowdhury, president of the Barguna District Fishermen Trawler Owners’ Association, said.

He added that Nur Alam Khan, 40, and Shahjahan Mia, 38, with gunshot wounds, were rescued at Mohipur ghat in Patuakhali on Saturday night and treated, reports bdnews24.com.

“While fishing at sea, two fishermen from Patharghata were shot by pirates,” Mostofa said. “It is not immediately clear which pirate group was involved.”

One of the injured was admitted to Patharghata Upazila Health Complex and the other to Kalapara Health Complex, he added.

According to family members, 14 fishermen had gone to fish in the Bay of Bengal on a trawler named “FB Zahid”, owned by Md Dulal Mia of Sadar Union, Patharghata. Around 4 am, they were hauling nets in Narikelbaria when a trawler suddenly approached and opened fire without warning.

Alam was reportedly shot in the back and Shahjahan under the eye.

The fishermen quickly returned to Mohipur ghat, where they received initial treatment before being taken to Patharghata Upazila Health Complex.

Patharghata Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Nil Ratman Sarkar said Alam is receiving treatment after being injured in the “pirate attack”.

When contacted, Patharghata Police Station chief (Investigation) Amir Hossain said no one had reported the incident yet, and authorities would investigate.