Firefighting efforts started this morning in the Sundarbans East Zone’s Amurbunia area, following a fire that erupted on Saturday (May 04, 2024). The operation, which began at 9 am on Sunday (May 05, 2024), saw the coordinated efforts of the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Forest Guard, and Fire Service. The initial response was led by a ten-member team from the Mongla naval base. Following this, members of the Fire Service attempted to set up water extraction from the nearby Bhola River. However, the operation faced a setback due to low tide conditions, delaying the water supply. Probe committee formed over Sundarbans fire Kazi Muhammad Nurul Karim, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarbans East Zone, stated that logistical challenges prevented the operation from starting sooner. "The Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force joined the Fire Service this morning to accelerate efforts. Local volunteers are also lending significant support," he reported. Mamun Ahmed, Deputy Director of Bagerhat Fire Service and Civil Defense, detailed the deployment of additional firefighting units. "Five units from various locations were dispatched to the site this morning, with three from Mongla, Morrelganj, and Shoronkhola actively engaging in the firefighting efforts. The remaining two units are on standby," he said. Fire breaks out at Sundarbans

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh Coast Guard will be developed as a modern and time-fitting force to carry out its growing responsibility. “Our (its) responsibility will go up in future. Keeping eyes on it, we’ve our own thoughts that we’ll build this Coast Guard as a modern and time-befitting,” she said. The premier was addressing the commissioning ceremony of five locally made state-of-the-art vessels of Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) at BCG Patenga Berth in Chattogram through a videoconferencing from her official residence Ganabhaban here in the capital. PM Hasina commissions five modern Coast Guard vessels The five commissioned vessels are two inshore patrol vessels named 'BCGS Apurba Bangla’ and 'BCGS Joy Bangla,' two tugboats named 'BCGT Pratyay' and 'BCGT Pramatta' and a floating crane named 'BCGFC Shakti.' The two inshore patrol vessels were built by state-owned Dockyard and Engineering Works Limited in Narayanganj, while two tugboats and the floating crane were made by the Khulna Shipyard. Hasina said her government added 154 modern and faster ships and vessels of various sizes to the Coast Guard fleet in the last 14 years since 2009. Besides, 4 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), and 10-meter and 20-meter modern rescue boats from Japan were added to the BCG fleet, she said, adding that a dockyard is also being constructed at Ghazaria for the construction, repair and maintenance of Coast Guard ships and vessels. “Bangladesh Coast Guard will rise to a new level of self-sufficiency or capability if ships are built at its own yard,” she said. PM to brief media on the outcome of her Switzerland visit on Wednesday  The PM said an initiative has been taken to install the digital connectivity between the Coast Guard and Bangabandhu Satellite-1 aiming to bring a revolutionary change in the BCG communication system in the deep sea for national interest and security, and safety of people's life and property. Besides, drone technology has been added to Bangladesh Coast Guard to ensure the security to the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in Bhasanchar, she said. Noting that there is a huge potential of the country’s blue economy, Hasina said Bangladesh needs to utilize its sea resources and ensure security to the marine resources. So, the government has taken a plan to strengthen this force further by adding two more all-weather and deep-sea Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), a hospital ship, a hovercraft and several high-speed vessels within the 2026-2030 period, she said. “The Coast Guard will have sufficient manpower and will be a mature, sophisticated and exemplary smart force from 2031 to 2041,” she added. The PM asked all the members of Bangladesh Coast Guard to uphold the image and dignity of their force by bearing the spirit of patriotism and performing their duty with honesty and integrity. Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Ashraful Hoq Chowdhury, on behalf of the PM, handed over the commissioning forman (order) to the commissioning commanders of the five new vessels. Bangladesh won’t give in to any external pressure: PM Hasina says at SSF anniversary The premier unveiled the name plates of the new vessels added to the BCG fleet. The commissioning parade of the newly commissioned vessels took place. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Senior Secretary of Public Security Division Mustafizur Rahman spoke at the commissioning ceremony, while BCG Director General Rear Admiral Ashraful Hoq Chowdhury delivered the welcome speech. The new vessels are equipped with ultramodern machinery, sensors and surveillance radar. The inshore patrol vessels have three automatic cannons, which will play a vital role in protecting ourselves and running operational activities. The vessels have surveillance capacity of 96 nautical miles and the cannons' range is 4 kilometers and the ships are able to identify anything like other vessels, criminals or enemies within this range while the cannons will help the BCG conduct operational activities smoothly. With the commission of the vessels, the operational activities of the BCG is expected to accelerate along with increase in the capacity to prevent stealing at commercial ships at the outer anchor, control human and drug trafficking through sea, patrol along the blue economy borders and conduct rescue operations in case of natural calamity and maritime accidents.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the government has adopted a plan to increase the number of ships, equipment and manpower for Coast Guard as per the Vision 2030 and Vision 2041 modernisation plans for ensuring blue economy and security at sea.   “Procurement of four more OPVs, nine replacement vessels, two maritime version helicopters for deep sea patrols has been approved,” she said. The Prime Minister said this while speaking at the 28th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Medal Giving Ceremony held at the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. In order to modernise and strengthen the Bangladesh Coast Guard, the Prime Minister said that advanced technology ships, maritime surveillance systems, hovercrafts and high-speed boats are going to be added to this force very soon.   She mentioned that an initiative has also been taken to establish a digital connection with Bangabandhu Satellite-1 to bring about a revolutionary change in the communication system of the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the deep sea.  Also Read: Help people in villages in cultivation activities: PM to Ansar and VDP Hasina said that in continuation of this, from 2009 to 2022, various types of infrastructures including Coastal Crisis Management Centres have been built at Coast Guard stations and outposts in coastal and remote areas of the country to make the Coast Guard skilled and stronger. She also said that vessels of various sizes have been constructed.   “Under various development projects, accommodation, barracks and administrative buildings have been constructed in the zones of the Coast Guard,” she said. The Prime Minister mentioned that training capacity of the Coast Guard manpower was also enhanced by setting up its own training base in Patuakhali, named BCG Base Agrajatra'.   She said inshore patrol vessels, floating cranes, tug boats and various types of high speed boats have been developed for the Bangladesh Coast Guard under various developmental projects.   “Combat uniforms have recently been introduced for the force, which I believe will help boost morale for all members.” Hasina said that a dockyard is being constructed at Gajaria in Munshiganj district to increase the repair and maintenance capacity of this force. Read More: Sustainable Development: Separate ministry for blue economy proposed She said that Coast Guard has been playing a special role in the economic development of the country by ensuring the proper use of marine resources in Bangladesh waters. In this connection, she said that the motto of this force is ‘Guardians at the Sea’. The meaning of this is to establish it as a true friend of the people in the sea and coastal areas. The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh Coast Guard has already shown itself as a true friend to the innocent and oppressed people in the coastal areas of the country by preventing wrongdoing and misdeeds.   She said that every member of this force is now strong in the spirit of patriotism and liberation war. She also mentioned that members of Coast Guard are working tirelessly for the interests of the country when risks are there.  She said that this force gives security for the  sea ports, prevent drug smuggling, arms smuggling, human-trafficking, illegal and unregulated fishing, control and prevention of sea and river pollution and piracy.  Earlier, the Prime Minister handed over the medals to Coast Guard members for their bravery and special achievements. Read more: Blue Economy: Dhaka calls for joint efforts to harness marine resources A video documentary on the activities of the Coast Guard was screened on the occasion. She witnessed a colourful cultural programmes and planted a tree sapling. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Laxmipur Coast Guard Station through unveiling its plaque virtually from the coast guard headquarters end. At the function, the Prime Minister also handed over Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal, President Coast Guard Medal, Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal Sheba and President Coast Guard Medal Sheba among selected members of the Coast Guard including its Director General Rear Admiral Ashraful Haque Chowdhury. Read More: Blue Economy Dev: Govt to take project on Tuna, similar pelagic fishing in deep Sea

Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) conducted a raid on the river Naf in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar district and seized 2.1 lakh contraband yaba pills early Monday.  Media officer of the BCG headquarters here Lt. Commander Abdur Rahman said that based on secret information, a special operation was conducted in the Naf river by BCG station Teknaf under BCG East Zone at around 2:15 am.  During the operation, the BCG members saw a locally made dinghy coming towards the Bangladesh water territory from the Myanmar frontier in the Naf River area of Sabrang Noapara.  Read more: BGB recover 70 thousand yaba worth Tk 2.1 core from Naf river As the boat crossed the border, the movement of the boat appeared suspicious and a Coast Guard member signaled the boat to stop. Realizing the presence of the Coast Guard, someone on the boat threw two yellow plastic bags into the water and quickly fled to the border of Myanmar. Later, Coast Guard members picked up the two sacks from the water and searched and seized 2 lakh 10 thousand pieces of yaba tablets, Lt. Commander Abdur Rahman said.   He further said that the seized Yaba consignment was handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for further legal action. 

Members of Coast Guard (CG) seized 1,020 kilograms of shrimp injected with unhealthy jelly in the Meghna River on Tuesday. Lieutenant Commandant Khandakar Munif Taki, media officer of the CG Dhaka Zone, said acting on a tip-off a drive was conducted in Alubazar Ferry Ghat area and it seized the shrimps weighing around 1020 kilograms from a trawler. Read more: Shrimps inflated with jelly seized in Jashore Later, the shrimp injected with the jelly, which is considered to be injurious to health, were buried in presence of the upazila’s fishery officer and law enforcers, he added.

Police in Noakhali's Hatia have reported the deaths of three men in what it described as a "shootout between two gangs of robbers," which erupted over a turf war, in Char Ghasia of Noakhali's Hatia early Thursday. The deceased were identified as Shahraj (35), Kabir (40) and Nurunnabi (45), Hatia Police Station Office-in-Charge Amir Hossain told UNB. Their bodies have been kept at Hatia's Chairman Ghat Police Outpost and will be sent to Noakhali 250 Bed General Hospital for autopsies early Friday, he added. Earlier, Bangladesh Coast Guard claimed to have detained five robbers with arms following the turf battle. The detainees are Md Hinju, 37, of Noakhali's Char Jabbar; Mohammad Harun, 37, of Lakshmipur's Ramgati, Mohammad Liton, 35, from the district's Char Gazi village, Mohammad Mosharof, 36, of Abdul Munshirhat Kalkini village and Azim Bepari, 27, of Char Abdullah village. During its drive, Coast Guard seized three single-shot rifles, two rounds of bullets, six machetes, five spears and many iron rods from them. According to locals, two robbers, who are also brothers, Khokon and Fakhrul were at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in Char Ghasia. Recently, Fakhrul took hold of the area after the law enforcers caught Khokon. Coming out of jail on bail a few days ago, Khokon tried to regain his hold. So, the dispute between the two brothers resurfaced and led to today's gunfight. Lieutenant Shafiul Kinjol, media officer of BCG Hatia, said: "Legal action will be taken against the detainees."      

Acting foreign secretary Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam said they had a high-level meeting today (September 18, 2022) with all concerned and urged Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard to remain on high alert with “reinforcement”, if required. Khurshed Alam, also secretary at Maritime Affairs Unit (MAU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Bangladesh is a “responsible and peace-loving” country and they are “observing and tolerating” the situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border with much patience. Talking to reporters at the ministry, he said they are in touch with all relevant agencies and the government remains alert so that no Myanmar national can enter Bangladesh. Also read: Myanmar ambassador summoned for the 4th time Earlier in the morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affais summoned the Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe for the fourth time and lodged a strong protest over the recent incidents along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. The ambassador was summoned at the office of Md. Najmul Huda, Director General (South East Asia wing) of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Khurshed Alam said Bangladesh conveyed to the ambassador that what’s happening in Myanmar is their internal issue and they need to think how they will solve it. Read BNP urges global community to act against Myanmar's insolent activities He said Bangladesh has told the ambassador to take steps to prevent repetition of such incidents – death and injuries – inside Bangladesh. The acting foreign secretary said the Myanmar envoy listened to the Bangladesh side and assured that he would report to the headquarters. The acting foreign secretary hoped that there will be a solution if Bangladesh remains strong. Bangladesh is not demonstrating any weakness, rather it is conveying its message to Myanmar from a very strong position, he added. Read Do more to cut Myanmar military's revenue, arms supply: UN to countries Asked who will take responsibility of the recent death, the acting foreign secretary said they cannot say exactly who had fired the bullet, though the bullet has “Myanmar army” written on it. He said the Myanmar side was saying these bullets had been stolen by the Arakan Army and they are using these bullets to create "distance" between Bangladesh and Myanmar. “In such a situation, it is difficult to determine who will take the responsibility.” Khurshed Alam said Bangladesh has asked Myanmar to take steps for stopping the spill-over of Myanmar’s internal conflict into Bangladesh.  Read UN experts seek more help for human rights defenders in push for accountability in Myanmar Earlier, Dhaka reiterated its “deep concern” over the recent incidents of Myanmar’s mortar shelling, indiscriminate aerial firing in the bordering areas, and air space violations. On Saturday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the government is trying to resolve the issues with Myanmar peacefully and diplomatically but a complaint will be lodged to the United Nations regarding mortar shelling at the border if necessary. He said the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry has warned them (Myanmar) several times but they didn’t keep their promise. “We have lodged a strong protest over casualties from Friday’s mortar shelling by Myanmar at Tombru border,” he added. Read Bangladesh wants discussion to avert border tension with Myanmar: Foreign Secretary On Friday night, a 17-year-old-Rohingya boy named Mohammad Iqbal was killed and five others were injured as a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar army exploded at the Zero Point Rohingya Camp close to the international border in Tombru, Bandarban. The deceased and injured were all residents of the Zero Point Rohingya Camp, known as the camp that is closest to the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, in No Man's Land. Four mortar shells landed in succession at the Rohingya camp around 8 pm. Also read: Home Minister: Will complain to UN over Myanmar’s mortar shelling if needed Earlier, an indigenous youth, named Anganthowai Tanchangya, was grievously injured in a landmine explosion along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Naikhongchhari Upazila of Bandarban on Friday noon. Locals said it is the Myanmar army that has mined the area. Twelve mortar shells have been fired by the Myanmar army on Bangladesh territory so far.

Coast Guard Wednesday detained 31 Indian fishermen for illegally fishing in Bangladesh's territorial waters. Two fishing boats were also seized. Lieutenant Commander Khandaker Munif Taki, media officer of Coast Guard, said they found the Indian boats illegally fishing in Bangladeshi waters – 77 nautical miles west of the international maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. Coast Guard vessel Mansur Ali conducted the operation. The detainees were handed over to Mongla Police Station Thursday, Munif said. Read: 13 more Indian fishermen held from Bay of Bengal To secure their marine resources in the Bay of Bengal, India and Bangladesh settled their maritime boundary in 2014. However, fishermen from Bangladesh and India continue to commit unlawful forays into each other's sovereign waters, leading to the enforcement of punitive measures against those accused or convicted. Such incidents not only jeopardise the fishers' livelihoods but repeated occurrences also nettle relations 

More than 182 fishermen from the southern coastal district of Barguna and 41 fishing boats, locally called trawlers, carrying them have gone missing in the stormy Bay of Bengal, according to Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG). Amid rough sea and strong winds, the fishermen from Barguna's Patharghata had gone to the south Bay of Bengal to bait and catch fish for their businesses. "We have not found any trace of 41 fishing boats from Patharghata with over 400 fishermen till now," Masum Mia, general secretary of the Barguna Fishing Trawler Owners' Association. Read: 6 Bhola trawlers sink in Bay: 59 missing fishermen rescued Several fishing boats have sunk in the Bay since Thursday, Lieutenant KM Shafiul Kinjal, media officer of Coast Guard South zone, said Sunday. "So far, we have learned about 182 missing fishermen. Six teams of the Coast Guard are conducting search and rescue operations in the deep for the missing fishermen," Shafiul said.

Mongla Coastguards rescued 13 fishermen Monday  who were floating in the Bay of Bengal for two days after the engine of their fishing trawler broke down. The fishermen were rescued around 8 am from the estuary of Bay of Bengal near Shyalar Char in Bagerhat with their trawler after getting a call in national emergency number triple nine, said Lieutenant Commander M Mamunur Rahman, detective officer of Coast Guard. Read: With Hilsa catch declining, Bagerhat fishermen stare at penury On August 12, the fishermen went into bay with the trawler from Bhandaria upazila in Pirojpur and the engine broke down around 9 am the next day, he said. “All of them are fine and they have been sent to Sharankhola station of the Coast Guard. On Tuesday they will be handed over to their respective families there, “ said Lt commander M Mamunur Rahman.