Arakan Army abducts 20 Bangladeshi fishermen from Naf River

The Teknaf-2 BGB commander has confirmed communication with Myanmar authorities about the incident

Twenty fishermen, along with 17 dinghy boats, have reportedly been abducted and taken to Myanmar while fishing in the Naf River estuary at Teknaf in Cox's Bazar.

Abdus Salam, a member of the Subrang Union Parishad, claims that members of the Arakan Army, a Myanmar armed group, captured the fishermen on Tuesday.

The captured fishermen include Md Hashim, 30; Md Hossain, 20; Mohi Uddin, 22; Enayet Ullah, 32; Abdul Shukkur, 35; and 15 others, all residents of Shah Pari Dwip Jalia Para village in Sabrang Union.

UP Member Salam said around 4:30pm, the fishermen set out to fish in two engine-run boats and 15 rowboats near the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal estuary.

“Two fishermen in each boat were using nets to catch fish when members of the Arakan Army arrived in a large trawler and abducted 20 fishermen at gunpoint,” he said.

Teknaf Upazila executive officer, or UNO, Adnan Chowdhury said he was informed of the incident by Salam and subsequently alerted the relevant authorities.

Lt Col Mohiuddin Ahmed, commander of Teknaf-2 BGB, said: "I learnt of the situation through residents and the fishermen's families. We are in contact with Myanmar authorities regarding this matter."

Previously, on the morning of Oct 6, 58 fishermen and six fishing trawlers went to sea from the Shah Pari Island jetty, but were captured by the Myanmar Navy on Oct 9.

During that incident, a Bangladeshi trawler came under gunfire from a speedboat patrolling the Myanmar Navy, resulting in three fishermen being shot, one of whom succumbed to his injuries. The fishermen were later returned.

Earlier, the BGB successfully repatriated 16 Bangladeshi fishermen who had been detained by the Arakan Army after crossing into Myanmar's Rakhine state on Oct 15.

EXPLOSIVE SOUNDS ACROSS NAF RIVER

The situation along the Naf River has been marked by the sound of explosions throughout the day, reflecting the escalating crisis in Myanmar.

Loud explosions have been reported from the other side of the border, causing concern in Teknaf.

Residents reported hearing these sounds from Monday night until Tuesday at 3:30pm, which appeared to be caused by mortar shells or bombs launched from aircraft.

Mohammad Yasin, a resident of Jaliya Para in Teknaf Municipality, noted an increase in the sounds of gunfire and mortar explosions since Monday night.

While the sounds were somewhat less noticeable during the day, they intensified at night, instilling fear in children.