BGB chief reviews Teknaf security, orders readiness amid Myanmar border clash

Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army in the Maungdaw region of Rakhine state are engaged in conflict

Bangladesh's border force chief has assessed the security arrangements in southeastern border region, including Saint Martin's Island in Teknaf Upazila of Cox's Bazar.

Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh or BGB Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui inspected the border situation from Friday morning to noon, its Public Relations Officer Md Shariful Islam said.

According to a press release from the force, clashes between Myanmar's military and the Arakan Army are ongoing in the Maungdaw border region of Rakhine State. With Teknaf and Saint Martin's Island situated across the Naf River, the BGB chief visited to take stock of the border situation.

He inspected the BGB outpost and security arrangements on Saint Martin's, and ongoing construction projects on the island as well.

Maj Gen Ashrafuzzaman directed the officers on operational, training, and administrative matters concerning national sovereignty.

He also instructed them to ‘always be prepared’ to handle any situation along the border.

The chief inspected the Moricha, a joint check post under the jurisdiction of BGB-30 Ramu Battalion, with senior BGB officials and other battalion leaders.

Recently, continuous gunfire on several boats operating on the Teknaf-Saint Martin's route halted maritime traffic for eight days.

As a result, alternative routes were taken to bring stranded people back to Teknaf and supply essential goods to Saint Martin's Island.

Residents of Teknaf have reported hearing gunfire and explosions from the Myanmar side of the Naf River, particularly since the sighting of a warship in Myanmar's waters on Wednesday.

However, the situation appeared to have calmed by Saturday morning, with no further reports of the warship or audible conflict.