The Arakan Army (AA), a Myanmar-based insurgent group, has been infiltrating Bangladeshi waters in the Naf River along the Teknaf border and abducting local fishermen for ransom. According to 29 fishermen who were recently released after being held captive for 17 days, the AA routinely demands large sums of money before releasing the hostages.

𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐒𝐈𝐌 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

After abducting fishermen, the Arakan Army demands their family members' contact details. If they refuse, captives face physical torture. The insurgents use Bangladeshi SIM cards to make ransom calls, demanding payments ranging from Tk 200,000 to Tk 500,000 per person. These SIM cards are reportedly linked to mobile banking accounts, allowing ransom payments to be collected digitally.

𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝟕 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲

Mahmudul Hasan, a 35-year-old fisherman, recounted being taken to a rebel-controlled camp, where he and his fellow captives were confined in a cramped, unhygienic room for 48 hours. A single bucket was provided for urination, and food rations included a handful of rice, boiled banana stems, and occasionally rotten lentils with contaminated water.

Shafiullah, a fisherman of 20 years, stated that the Arakan Army frequently abducts two to three fishermen daily, holding them for ransom before eventually releasing them. He confirmed that ransom payments are facilitated through mobile banking, involving Bangladeshi and Rohingya intermediaries.

Abdur Rahman, a 21-year-old survivor, reported overhearing Arakan Army members conversing in Bengali. He claimed that the group had previously extorted at least Tk 3.5 million in ransom payments from Bangladeshi fishermen.

𝐁𝐆𝐁’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞

Lieutenant Colonel Ashiqur Rahman, Commanding Officer of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Teknaf Battalion, acknowledged that Bangladeshi fishing boats sometimes enter Myanmar’s waters, leading to their capture. However, he denied allegations that the Arakan Army was infiltrating Bangladeshi territory to abduct fishermen. He added that diplomatic efforts had enabled the release of several hostages.

Growing Concern Along the Border

The increasing frequency of such abductions has raised serious concerns among local residents. Law enforcement agencies have assured that the matter is under thorough investigation. With the use of Bangladeshi SIM cards and mobile banking in these criminal operations, authorities are under pressure to strengthen border security and curb this escalating threat.

𝐁𝐎𝐁 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭