Suspected 'Dayal Bahini' member arrested in Sundarbans drive

The Bangladesh Coast Guard today arrested a suspected member of the notorious Dayal Bahini gang with arms and ammunition during a drive in the Sundarbans, according to an official Coast Guard press release.

The arrestee, Abdul Halim, 36, is from Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, the release said.

Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan said that the operation was based on intelligence that a gang member would enter the Sundarbans to supply provisions.

Acting on the tip‑off, personnel from Coast Guard's Mongla base and outpost conducted a special operation in the Shibsa River area under Dacope Police Station around 10:00am. Halim was detained and identified as a supplier of arms, ammunition and provisions to Dayal Bahini.

Based on information obtained from him, Coast Guard members later recovered a single‑barrel gun and four rounds of live cartridges from an area adjacent to Takatola canal under Dacope Police Station around 1:00pm.

The Coast Guard said Halim had long been involved in robbery with the gang and had assisted it by supplying weapons and provisions. Legal steps over the seizure and arrest are underway, the release said.

Officials added that drives would continue to keep the Sundarbans free of pirates.