Three fishermen were shot dead in a late-night attack by pirates on the Meghna River in Ramgati, Lakshmipur. During this, the pirates took away a fisherman named Mohiuddin (35).
The incident took place in the river on the west side of Char Abdullah Union at around 12:20 am on Tuesday (November 8). Fishermen rescued them at around 4 am and admitted them to the hospital.
Ferdous Ahmed, inspector (in-charge) of Barakheri Naval Police Outpost, confirmed the matter.
The injured are Md. Abbas Majhi (28), Md. Faruk (35) and Md. Yusuf (27). Abbas is the son of Tosir Ahmed of Charfalkon area of Kamalnagar upazila, Yusuf is the son of Md. Yunus of Paschim Charkalakopa village of Ramgati and Faruk is the son of Alamgir Farazi of Subarna Char in Noakhali.
The missing Mohiuddin is the son of Nanu Faraji of Subarnachar area of Noakhali.
Injured Abbas Majhi said, "We were preparing to cast nets in the river. Suddenly, pirates fired at our boat from a distance. Three of us were shot. The pirates took our colleague Mohiuddin away."
Md. Liton, a fishmonger at Ludhua Fish Ghat in Kamalnagar, said that the robbery incident took place on Abbas Majhi's boat at midnight. After receiving the news, we informed Kamalnagar Upazila Fisheries Officer Abdul Kuddus and Alexander Coast Guard Contingent Commander (CC). The police said that the Coast Guard would go if the administration went. After informing them, the fishmongers themselves took the risk and rescued the injured fishermen from the spot.
AK Azad, the doctor on duty at Sadar Hospital, said, "Three patients with gunshot wounds have arrived. They have been admitted. They are under observation."
Ferdous Ahmed, inspector (in-charge) of Barakheri Naval Police Outpost, said, "The robbery incident took place in the Meghna River in Daulatkhan area of Bhola. I heard about the incident at night."
Meanwhile, at 7:30 am on Wednesday (November 9), Ramgati Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Alamgir Hossain told the media that he had no information about the incident. Later, he took information about the injured and missing prisoners from media personnel.