Bangladesh Coast Guard on Thursday said a group of miscreants carried out a sudden attack and vandalism at its Harbaria Station in the Joymonir Ghol area of the Sundarbans, leaving several Coast Guard personnel injured.

In a press release issued on Thursday, Coast Guard Media Officer Lt Commander Sabbir Alam Suzan said the force has taken necessary measures to bring the situation under control and launched a joint operation to uncover the actual motive behind the incident.

According to the Coast Guard, the force has been carrying out regular patrols, intelligence surveillance and special operations across the Sundarbans to maintain law and order, suppress forest pirates and protect biodiversity in the region.

The statement noted that the Joymonir Ghol area under Mongla Police Station has long been considered a key base for forest pirates and their associates. To strengthen security and curb criminal activities, a Coast Guard station was established there.

The Coast Guard claimed that its presence in the area has significantly disrupted the supply of logistics, weapons and other support to forest pirate groups, making it increasingly difficult for them to continue their operations.

As a result, the force believes that forest pirates and their collaborators do not want the Coast Guard to remain active in the area.

“On Thursday, a group of miscreants launched an unprovoked attack and vandalised the Coast Guard station at Joymonir Ghol. Several Coast Guard members on duty were injured in the incident,” the press release said.

Based on preliminary information and local assessments, the Coast Guard suspects that certain vested quarters and dishonest groups may have orchestrated the attack, vandalism and subsequent misinformation campaign in an attempt to force the removal of the station from the area and facilitate their illegal activities.

The force said efforts are underway to identify those responsible and bring them under legal action.

The Coast Guard also urged media professionals, local residents and other stakeholders to verify information before sharing or reacting to reports related to the incident.

Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining security in the Sundarbans and coastal regions, the Coast Guard said its ongoing operations against forest pirates and criminal networks would continue despite any threats, attacks or attempts to spread misinformation.