Two speedboats were set on fire and later sunk in the Padma River in Bheramara upazila of Kushtia on Sunday in what locals suspect was a clash between two groups of river pirates over territorial dominance.
The incident took place around noon in the river near Bahadurpur Union of the upazila.
According to local sources, four speedboats belonging to suspected pirate groups were seen operating in the Padma near Arkandi, Lisendia and Madhabpur areas along Bahadurpur Union.
At one stage, one group chased two speedboats belonging to the rival group over a dispute over dominance in the area.
Those on the two boats fled after leaving them on the riverbank. Members of the rival group later poured petrol on the boats, set them on fire and left the scene, the sources said.
Farmers working in betel leaf gardens along the riverbank heard several gunshots during the incident. Shortly afterwards, they saw flames and thick black smoke rising over the river.
Locals rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.
Officer-in-Charge of Bheramara Police Station Md Shamim Sheikh said they had heard about the incident.
As the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the river police, they would conduct the necessary investigation and take appropriate action, he said.
Meanwhile, repeated attempts to contact Md Shafiqul Islam, in-charge of the Laxmikunda River Police Outpost, for details were unsuccessful.