In a fresh escalation of cross-border maritime tensions, eleven Bangladeshi fishermen along with two fishing boats were reportedly abducted by members of Myanmar’s armed insurgent group, the Arakan Army, from the Bay of Bengal near Teknaf and Saint Martin's Island on Tuesday morning.

Local residents and members of the Teknaf Kayukhali Boat Owners’ Association have pointed fingers at the Arakan Army, claiming that the group crossed into Bangladesh's territorial waters and carried out the abduction at gunpoint. Among the abductees is a boat owned by Abul Kalam, general secretary of the association.
“While fishing near the maritime boundary, the Arakan Army crossed into our waters, held the fishermen at gunpoint, and took them away along with two boats. My own boat was among those taken,” Kalam told reporters. “I’ve also heard that more boats and fishermen might have been abducted.”
Abdul Mannan, a Union Parishad member from Shah Porir Island in Teknaf, confirmed hearing of the abduction but said the precise location from which the boats were taken remains unclear. “Several fishing boats from our area were also reportedly chased by the Arakan Army,” he added.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin acknowledged the incident and assured the public that discussions are ongoing with law enforcement agencies to determine the whereabouts of the fishermen and secure their safe return.
Lt Col Md Ashikur Rahman, commander of the Teknaf-2 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), said efforts are underway to gather detailed information about the incident.
This latest incident is part of a worrying trend of cross-border abductions by the Arakan Army. According to data compiled between February and April 2025:    
149 fishermen and boatmen have been abducted by the Arakan Army.
121 individuals have been released at various intervals following negotiations or other undisclosed efforts.
28 fishermen remain in captivity as of April 2025.
Between October 2024 and January 2025, similar abductions were reported with increasing frequency. Some notable incidents include:
November 2024: 24 fishermen were kidnapped in two separate incidents near the Naf River estuary. 19 were later released.
December 2024: Seven boats were taken hostage along with 31 fishermen; 26 returned after a week, allegedly following ransom negotiations by boat owners.
January 2025: 14 fishermen from the Saint Martin’s area went missing, with only 9 returning safely.
Local communities are increasingly alarmed by the rising threat posed by the Arakan Army, with calls growing louder for increased naval patrols and stronger diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi nationals fishing near the maritime boundary.

As tensions continue to simmer in the Bay of Bengal, coastal residents and fishing communities are urging the Bangladeshi government to step up security and establish an urgent dialogue with Myanmar to prevent further incidents.
“The sea is our livelihood,” said Kalam. “But now, going out to fish feels like walking into a war zone.”
 

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