A tense situation unfolded on the Padma River along the Kushtia and Pabna borders as two rival local factions engaged in a prolonged four-hour gunfight over the control of sandbars and territorial dominance. The armed clash between the groups, locally identified as the Kakon gang and Kalu gang, took place on Tuesday afternoon, instilling severe panic among residents living along the riverbanks. Despite the intensity of the exchange, authorities confirmed that no casualties have been reported from the scene.
Notably, the armed confrontation coincided with an ongoing administrative drive aimed at protecting mother hilsa during the breeding season. A team comprising fisheries officials, naval police, and an executive magistrate from the Kushtia district administration was actively conducting operations on the river when the gunfight erupted. The surreal juxtaposition of a government conservation drive and an active gang war highlighted the persistent security challenges in the remote riverine chars.
According to local residents and law enforcement sources, the disturbance began around 2:00 PM when people residing near the Mahanagar Tag area under Hatsh Haripur union heard sporadic gunfire echoing from the river. The intensity of the shooting escalated quickly, accompanied by the frantic movement of several speedboats darting across the water. Just half an hour later, the administrative team arrived at the location to execute their scheduled duties regarding the hilsa preservation campaign.
Monira Akhtar, an assistant commissioner and executive magistrate of the Kushtia district administration who led the drive, recounted that they heard multiple gunshots immediately upon boarding their vessel. The situation was promptly escalated to the additional district magistrate, and the operation was carried out under strict security protocols. She noted that while no fishing boats were sighted on the river during the patrol, her driver observed three to four speedboats speeding away from the area.
In the wake of this incident, local law authorities have intensified intelligence gathering and surveillance along the Padma River basin. The authorities are examining digital evidence, including viral video footage, to identify the perpetrators belonging to the opposing gangs. Police and administrative officials have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on illegal sand-grabbers and armed groups operating in the riverine chars to ensure public safety and protect vital natural resources.
