, Oct. 18 -- Twelve Bangladeshi sailors, rescued eight months ago by the Indian Coast Guard, returned home on Saturday afternoon through Benapole border of Jashore, under a special travel permit.

The sailors were handed over to Benapole Immigration Police by Indian Immigration authorities around 5:30 pm.

The returnees were identified as Shariful Sheikh, 20, Bappi Sheikh, 18, Mihat Fakir, 22, Shawon Molla, 25, Jihad Molla, 25, Ahad Sheikh, 26, Sagar Hossain, 26, Rajib Sheikh, 27, Tarikul Islam, 29, Al Amin Sheikh, 32, Mohammad Ali, 44, and Jasim Uddin Sheikh, 53.

Benapole Immigration Officer-in-Charge Md. Tajul Islam said, "The sailors were handed over to Benapole Port Police after completing necessary formalities. Later, human rights o...