Arakan Army abducts 3 Bangladeshi fishermen from Naf River

Three Bangladeshi fishermen were reportedly abducted by Myanmar's armed rebel group, the Arakan Army, after they opened fire in the Naf River near Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar on Monday afternoon.

The incident took place near the Leda area adjacent to the Naf River.

The abducted fishermen have been identified as Siddiq Hossain (27), Rabiul Alam (27), and Mahmud Hossain (30) — all residents of Lamarpada in East Leda, Hnila Union, Teknaf.

Nurul Huda, a member of the Hnila Union Parishad, confirmed the incident and said the three local fishermen were taken hostage at gunpoint while fishing in the Naf River. He added that earlier the same day, the Arakan Army opened fire upon spotting them, then chased and captured them.

Local fisherman Mahiuddin said the three men had gone to the river in a boat when the Arakan Army suddenly opened fire from the Myanmar side. As they attempted to flee, the group pursued them and took them away along with their boat. Nearby fishermen managed to escape, he said.

When contacted, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said, “We’ve heard about the abduction of the fishermen. Further details are being investigated.”