Armed Rohingya gang fires at fishing boat, allegedly sinks it in Naf River

Armed Rohingya criminals based in Myanmar allegedly chased a fishing boat, opened fire, and later sank the vessel in the Naf River along the Teknaf border area, prompting fishermen to jump into the water to save their lives.

The incident took place in the Naf River near Sulishpara under Hnila Union in Teknaf upazila on Saturday afternoon (May 30).

According to eyewitnesses, three armed men aboard an engine-powered boat crossed from an area near the Myanmar border and pursued a fishing boat. The attackers reportedly fired warning shots after reaching the Hnila section of the Naf River. Two people on the fishing boat jumped into the river to escape.

The assailants then allegedly seized the fishing boat, towed it to the middle of the river, looted fishing nets and other belongings, and later sank the vessel.

In a statement issued Saturday night, Lt. Col. Zahirul Islam, commanding officer of the 64 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion, said a three-member Rohingya robber gang chased a boat within Bangladeshi waters and fired a blank round after the fishermen refused to stop.

Hearing the gunshot, a BGB patrol team rushed to the area. The gang's boat was then spotted about 200 meters from the embankment inside the river. BGB personnel subsequently rescued and detained two Rohingya men found in the water.

According to the BGB, the suspects attempted to flee toward Char Kabyik through Sulishpara. Border guards chased the boat and fired five rounds, forcing the gang to abandon the area and escape.

Preliminary investigations suggest the two detained Rohingya men may have been traveling by river to collect a yaba consignment and were attacked by a rival Rohingya criminal group attempting to seize the shipment.

The detainees were identified as Imam Hossain, 25, and Nurul Amin, 23, both residents of Rohingya camps in Ukhiya. The BGB said legal procedures are underway to hand them over to police.

Local Union Parishad member Rafiqul Islam said the daylight attack had created fresh panic among residents living near the border.

"The shooting incident by armed criminals in the Naf River has raised concerns about public safety in the area. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary movement near the border," he said.