Noakhali: Pirates kidnapped 12 fishermen from the Meghna River in Hatiya upazila on early Tuesday.

Rashed Uddin, president of Jahazmara Fisheries Traders’ Association, Hatiya, said 32 fishermen along with two fishing trawlers-‘MV Ma Babar Doa’ and ‘MV Nasima’ went to the Bay of Bengal for fishing on Friday.

Pirates swooped on the two fishing trawlers at Thengar Char area of the Meghna River on early Tuesday while they were retuning and abducted the fishermen with trawlers.

The pirates also looted fish worth Tk 2 lakh and fishing nets from the two trawlers.

Later, the pirates freed 20 fishermen.

Coast Guard sources said the coast guard members are conducting drives to rescue the kidnapped fishermen, UNB reported.