TBM Report
In a disturbing cross-border incident, four Bangladeshi fishermen were reportedly abducted along with their boat from the Naf River by members of Myanmar’s insurgent group, the Arakan Army. The incident took place on Tuesday morning near the Naikhyangdia point of Shahporir Dwip in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The sudden abduction has sparked fresh concerns regarding the safety of locals near the restive border.
According to Sultan Majhi, a local resident, the fishermen were harvesting fish when the Arakan Army militants crossed the waters and took them at gunpoint toward the Myanmar coast. The abducted fishermen are residents of the Pukpara area of Shahporir Dwip. While it remains unclear whether the abduction occurred within Bangladeshi territorial waters or near the international boundary, the victim’s families have immediately sought assistance from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Teknaf, Md. Inamul Hafiz Nadim, confirmed the report, stating that the administration is actively investigating the matter. “We are coordinating with law enforcement and border security to confirm the details and ensure the safe return of our citizens,” he said. The incident comes amid ongoing fierce clashes between the Myanmar junta and rebel groups, which frequently spill over the border into Bangladesh.
Security has been beefed up along the Teknaf frontier following the incident. BGB has reportedly increased its patrolling frequency in the Naf River to prevent further incursions. Family members of the abducted men remain in profound distress, urging the government to initiate diplomatic channels for their immediate release. This incident marks another chapter in the growing instability along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, directly impacting the livelihoods of the local fishing community.
