Arakan Army Seizes Trawler and Five Fishermen Off Teknaf

A fishing trawler carrying five fishermen has reportedly been seized by the Arakan Army (AA), an armed group operating in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, while fishing in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Teknaf in Bangladesh. The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of fishermen working near the maritime border, where tensions and security risks have increased in recent years.

The incident was confirmed on Monday morning by Abul Kalam, General Secretary of the Boat Owners’ Association at Kayukkhali Ghat under Teknaf Municipality. According to him, local authorities were informed immediately after reports of the abduction emerged.

The five abducted fishermen have been identified as Salam Nur, 31, Md Ayub, 37, Md Azizullah, 30, Syed Hossain, 25, and another Md Ayub, 24. Initial information suggests that all of them are residents of the Rohingya refugee camps located in the Ukhiya-Teknaf area. Many Rohingya refugees have become involved in fishing and other informal livelihoods despite the challenges and restrictions associated with camp life.

Local fishermen said the trawler, owned by Ali Ahmad of Alir Dail village in Sabrang Union, departed from Kayukkhali Ghat on Sunday morning for a routine fishing trip in the Bay of Bengal. While operating near the waters adjacent to Chera Dwip, the vessel was reportedly intercepted and chased by members of the Arakan Army. The armed group allegedly detained the trawler along with all five crew members before taking them away.

Several other fishing boats that were working in the same area managed to flee after witnessing the incident, escaping before they too could be intercepted. Their accounts helped authorities piece together the sequence of events.

Speaking about the incident, Abul Kalam said the latest abduction has created fresh anxiety among fishing communities along the Teknaf coast. He noted that fishermen are increasingly worried about venturing into the sea, fearing they could face similar attacks or be caught in the complex security situation unfolding across the maritime border.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer S. M. Anik Chowdhury said the administration had received reports that a fishing trawler and its five crew members had been taken away while at sea. Preliminary information indicates that the victims are residents of the Rohingya refugee camps. He added that the authorities are verifying the details and maintaining close communication with the relevant agencies regarding the matter.

The waters bordering Bangladesh and Myanmar have remained sensitive due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where the Arakan Army has significantly expanded its influence. The instability has occasionally affected cross-border fishing activities, with reports over recent years of fishermen being detained, boats being seized and maritime security incidents disrupting the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Bangladeshi authorities continue to monitor the situation as efforts are under way to gather further information about the fishermen’s whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding the reported abduction.