Police on Wednesday rescued 11 fishermen kidnapped by armed pirates from Sundarbans under Bagerhat district.

They were rescued from the Sharankhola and Chandpai ranges of Sundarbans East Forest Division.

They are residents of Bagerhat's Rampal, Mongla, Morelganj, and Sadar upazilas and Khulna's Batiaghata upazila.

A group of armed pirates kidnapped them while they were catching crabs in the Sundarbans on December 15. The criminal demanded Tk 10,000 from each of the victims for release.

"After six days, we were able to rescue the kidnapped 11 fishermen," said Bagerhat Police Super KM Ariful Haque.

"We are active in this regard. The Prime Minister declared the Sundarbans free from pirates. We will beef up security measures to keep the Sundarbans safe," he said.

All the rescued fishermen are in police custody and in good health, said the police officer.

According to the fishermen, the pirates are members of "Nayan Bahini."