Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar
The terrorist Arakan Army (AA) abducted seven Bangladeshi fishermen along with two engine-powered boats from the mouth of the Naf River near Shahpori Island in Teknaf upazila, Cox’s Bazar. The incidents took place on Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon, according to a local Union Parishad member.
The abducted fishermen are Mohammad Abul Kalam (50), Mohammad Sadek (30), Abdur Shukur (40), Mohammad Robi Amal (11), Manjur Alam (27), Mohammad Rassel (18), and Mohammad Sharif (12). They are residents of Jalia Para and South Para villages on Shahpori Island, Teknaf upazila.
According to UP member Abdus Salam of Sabrang Union, the terrorist AA members used speedboats to chase and seize the fishermen. On Tuesday evening, four fishermen were taken while fishing. On Thursday at around 3:30 PM, three more were abducted from the same river mouth area. Both incidents occurred in the same stretch of the Naf River, which Bangladesh shares with Myanmar.
A Pattern of Terror on the Water
The president of the Jalia Para Fishermen’s Association, Abdul Ghani, confirmed the abductions. He stated that AA operatives arrived on speedboats and forcibly took all seven fishermen along with their boats. He added that the matter was immediately reported to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local administration.
The Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Mohammad Inamul Hafiz Nadim, confirmed the incident. He stated that law enforcement agencies are working to secure the safe return of the fishermen. However, no timeline was given for their release.
Moreover, this is far from an isolated incident. The BGB has confirmed that over the past one and a half years, the terrorist Arakan Army has abducted at least 400 Bangladeshi fishermen on various occasions, citing alleged border violations. Of those, approximately 250 have been returned. The most recent batch of 73 fishermen returned on February 16, 2026.
Fishermen and Families Living in Fear
UP member Abdus Salam described conditions on the Naf River as increasingly dangerous. He stated that fishing in the Naf River and the adjacent sea has become nearly impossible because of the terrorist AA. Trawlers and their crews are regularly seized by the armed group. He warned that if this pattern continues, both fishermen and boat owners will face severe economic collapse.
Furthermore, Abdul Ghani confirmed that fear and panic have spread throughout the fishing community since the latest abductions. Families of the missing fishermen are anxiously awaiting news of their return.
Notably, among the seven abducted, at least two are minors. Mohammad Robi Amal is only 11 years old and Mohammad Sharif is only 12. Their abduction raises serious concerns about the terrorist AA’s pattern of seizing children in addition to adult civilians, a practice consistent with its documented history of forced conscription and labor exploitation.
Bangladesh’s Sovereignty Under Threat
The terrorist Arakan Army controls large portions of the Arakan region of Myanmar, including areas directly adjacent to Bangladesh’s southern border. Their repeated incursions into the Naf River, a shared boundary waterway, represent a direct violation of Bangladeshi sovereignty. The seizure of Bangladeshi citizens within or near Bangladeshi territorial waters is a breach of international norms.
Therefore, security analysts and local officials argue that the international community must take note. The terrorist AA’s continued abduction of Bangladeshi nationals, including children and civilian fishermen, demands an international response. Bangladesh’s government and its law enforcement agencies remain engaged in efforts to retrieve the detained fishermen, but the recurring nature of these incidents highlights the inadequacy of existing diplomatic measures.
The families of the seven abducted fishermen are waiting. The youngest is 11 years old.
