Patuakhali: Armed pirates shot dead a fisherman and injured another in an attack in the Bay near Kuakata on Monday evening.

The pirates also looted 40 trawlers and abducted 50 fishermen during the several-hour long foray that began in the evening.  

The dead fisherman was identified as Farooque, 30.

Critically injured Kalu,30, was admitted to Mahipur Health Complex.

The fishermen, who came under attack in the Bay, some 100 kilometers south of the Kuakata shore, returned in the district town Tuesday morning and informed the matter.

“The gang swooped on us in the deep sea and fired gunshots indiscriminately.  They threw bullet wound Farooque in the sea, killing him on the spot,” said fisherman Jahirul Islam, a victim of the attack.

“But, we had to return without the body as could not recovered it from the sea,” he said.

The culprits looted 40 trawlers and took 50 fishermen into the deep forest of the Sundarbans for ransom, said sources of Mahipur Matsya Babosayee Samitee.

Samitee General Secretary Mostafa Mridha said Rapid Action Battalion was informed about the incident.

Captain of RAB-8 Patuakhali camp Major Kazi Shamsher Uddin told journalists a hunt is on to rescue the abducted fishermen.

BDST: 1703HRS. JULY 6, 2010