NOAKHALI, Aug 25 (UNB): At least 10 fishermen were injured, including seven with bullets, in an attack by pirates in the Bay of Bengal under Hatiya Upazila early Monday.
Ten other fishermen remain missing as the miscreants threw them into the Bay during the attack.
The bullet-hit victims are identified as Afsar (23), Moinuddin (30), Nurul Islam (35), Shamim (18), Mohammad Faruk (30), Nur Alam (25) and Mohammad Hannan (24).
The victims said they were returning ashore after fishing in the deep sea on three trawlers--MV Mayer Doa-2, MV Jahid Hasan and MV Runa.
There were 36 fishermen on board the three trawlers that had earlier left Jahajmara Ghat of Hatiya.
Around 5:00 am Monday, a gang of bandits swooped on the three trawlers and opened fire on the fishermen, leaving seven of them injured.
Later, the bandits beat up other fishermen mercilessly and looted valuables, including nets, from the trawlers.
Besides, the hoodlums threw 10 other fishermen into the Bay and left the place hurriedly by a seized trawler, MV Mayer Doa-2.
The bullet-hit were admitted to the Hatiya Upazila Health Complex while others received first aid.
On information, a team of Jahajmara Matsyajibi Samabaya Samity and Bangladesh Coast Guard members conducted a drive to rescue the missing fishermen.
Fazle Rabbi, officer-in-charge (OC) of Hatiya thana, confirmed the incident.
