At least 15 people, including a fisheries officer, were injured when a group of individuals attacked fisheries officials and law enforcement personnel during an operation against illegal Hilsa fishing in the Meghna River at Hizla upazila of Barishal district.

The incident occurred around 3:30 pm on Sunday in the Mul Meghna River near Dhulkhola Union under Hizla upazila.

According to the Fisheries Department, officials were conducting a drive in two speedboats as part of the ongoing Hilsa conservation efforts when the attack took place. Around 20 trawlers, each carrying an average of 20 individuals—believed to be local fishermen—suddenly surrounded and attacked the speedboats.

At least 15 people, including Mohammad Alam, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Hijla, along with other fisheries department employees and workers, sustained injuries during the attack. All of the injured received first aid at the Hijla Upazila Health Complex.

In response to the attack, Coast Guard members who were part of the enforcement team fired eight rounds of blank shots in self-defence to disperse the attackers.

Tension gripped the area following the incident. Officers from Hijla Police Station rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

The Hijla Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) said strict action will be taken against those involved in the attack after identification.

Meanwhile, the Barishal district administration has termed the repeated attacks on government officials during Hilsa conservation drives as “anti-state acts”, and has initiated the process to form a separate investigation committee to look into the incident.

Officials said this was not an isolated case. In the last 15 days, at least 15 such attacks on fisheries and law enforcement officials have been reported in different parts of Barishal district during Hilsa drives.