A Bangladesh piracy problem

Reported as 200 trawlers looted in Bay in 2 months:

Pirates killed six fishermen and looted 200 trawlers in the Bay of Bengal during the last two months creating panic among the fishermen.

Besides, 40 fishermen were abducted and 100 others injured in the attacks by the pirates during the same period.

Sources said the fishermen of Patharghata, Raenda, Tushk-hali, Mathbaria, Zianagor, Daulatkhan, Tazumunddin, Monpura, Kolapara and Morelganj areas under Barguna, Pirojpur, Bhola, Patuakhali and Bagerhut districts are the victims of piracy.

Locals said coastal and estuary areas of Meghna, Bishkhali, Balweswar rivers are under control of the different pirate gangs.

Jahangir, Kamal-Suman, Rezaul and BDR Kalam are the most notorious pirate gang leaders of these areas and they have secret dens in the deep forest of Sunderbans, they said.

Bangladesh is also under a "Piracy Alert" for its Chittagong anchorage as set out here (ICC CCS Weekly Piracy report to 19 June):

ALERT
Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
Twenty two incidents have been reported since 28.01.2006. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Ships are advised to take extra precautions.

More warnings at the ONI Worldwide Shipping Threat site here (to 14 June 06).