Arakan Army abducts 6 Bangladeshi fishermen

Six Bangladeshi fishermen were kidnapped by the Arakan Army, a rebel group in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, while returning from a fishing trip off Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday morning (November 18).

The fishermen were reportedly taken at gunpoint from the deep sea near Cheradia, south of Saint Martin’s Island, and transported to Mrauk U Township in Rakhine, Sajed Ahmed, president of the Kayukkhali Boat Owners Association in Teknaf Municipality, said.

Authorities and local boat owners said the incident has sparked panic among fishing communities in Teknaf and Saint Martin’s, where hundreds of trawlers operate regularly in the Bay of Bengal and Naf River.

The owner of the trawler, Zakir Hossain, said six fishermen, including Abdul Karim Majhi, had gone fishing on Saturday. On their return, the Arakan Army took the entire trawler along with a large catch of fish. One of the fishermen confirmed the kidnapping over the phone.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said, "Investigations are ongoing, and border forces continue to monitor the situation closely."

Since December last year, the Arakan Army has reportedly abducted over 340 Bangladeshi fishermen, though 189 have been released and 27 boats recovered.

On 8 December 2024, after nearly 11 months of conflict, the Arakan Army took control of 80% of Rakhine, displacing Myanmar’s junta forces. Fighting continues in the border areas.

Following this, the Teknaf–Saint Martin maritime route remains suspended for two years due to security risks.