KHULNA. Feb 1: Three pirates were killed and three others caught in an hour-long fierce gunfight between the police and the pirates at Harhbaria of Chandpai range under Mongla police station on Wednesday morning. Police seized seven firearms from the pirates during the gunfight.

According to Hablbur Rahman. Police Super of Bagerhat. the alleged pirates opened fires on river patrol police in the early morning at Harhbarie. Police also counter attacked.

In an hour-long gunbattle Kolice seized two pipeguns, fire ome-made guns and eleven rounds of live gun cartridges.

The arrested pirates are Nannu. 22. Hab>bur Rahman. 24. and Ibrahim. 24. Police said Habib is an absconder of a murder case.

Police rescued lour bawalis found tied up. The rescued bawalis are Badsha. Nagen Talukdar. Moslem and Haroon. They are among one hundred bawalis held hostage by the pirates for ransom at the rate of Taka 5.000 per head. ;