A gunfight broke out on Wednesday morning between forest guards and the Karim-Sharif bandit group in the Singartek area of the Sharankhola Range in the East Sundarbans. During the operation, forest officials rescued four fishermen who had been held hostage by the bandits. The Forest Department recovered a single-barrel gun, one cartridge, and two walkie-talkies from the scene. The incident was confirmed by Md. Shariful Islam, Assistant Forest Conservator of the Sharankhola Range.

According to the Forest Department, members of the Shelarchar patrol outpost and the Smart Team were conducting a joint patrol when they detected the presence of the bandits. The bandits opened fire on the forest guards, prompting a retaliatory response. During the exchange, the bandits fled, leaving behind their trawler and the four hostages. The rescued fishermen were later taken to the Shelarchar patrol outpost.

The Forest Department is preparing to take further legal action following the recovery of weapons and communication devices from the site.