BGB rescues 14 fishermen from Arakan Army custody in diplomatic effort

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has secured the release of 14 fishermen who were abducted by the Arakan Army, an armed separatist group from Myanmar, in an operation based on humanitarian grounds. The group consists of 13 Bangladeshi fishermen and one Rohingya Muslim from a refugee camp in Bangladesh.

Lieutenant Colonel Md. Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, commander of the BGB-2 battalion stationed in Teknaf, confirmed the development on Saturday, May 9. He stated that the fishermen were repatriated through coordinated efforts and persistent humanitarian initiatives.

A BGB delegation received the 14 fishermen from the Arakan Army at the zero line of the Naf River and brought them back to the Teknaf jetty on Saturday.

The rescued fishermen are currently in the process of being handed over to their families.

According to BGB sources, the fishermen had inadvertently crossed into Myanmar's territorial waters while fishing in the Bay of Bengal between 2025 and 2026. The Arakan Army took them into custody and moved them to different camps inside Myanmar.

The BGB's Cox's Bazar region prioritised humanitarian concerns and established effective communication channels with the Arakan Army. After prolonged efforts and coordination, significant progress was made for the fishermen's phased repatriation.

BGB's Teknaf battalion commander reiterated the force's commitment to protecting citizens' lives and property alongside border security.