Twenty Bangladeshi fishermen along with 17 dinghy boats were reportedly abducted by an armed group while fishing in the Naf River estuary near Teknaf in Cox's Bazar. According to Abdus Salam, a member of the Subrang Union Parishad, the fishermen were taken by the Arakan Army, a Myanmar-based armed group, on Tuesday.

The abducted fishermen, who are all residents of Shah Pari Dwip Jalia Para village in Sabrang Union, include Md Hashim, 30; Md Hossain, 20; Mohi Uddin, 22; Enayet Ullah, 32; Abdul Shukkur, 35; and 15 others. Salam stated that around 4:30 pm, the group set out to fish in two engine-powered boats and 15 rowboats near the intersection of the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal.

"While they were fishing in pairs, members of the Arakan Army arrived on a large trawler and abducted the fishermen at gunpoint," Salam reported.

Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury confirmed being informed of the incident by Salam and has notified relevant authorities. Lt Col Mohiuddin Ahmed, commander of Teknaf-2 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), stated, “We became aware of the situation through residents and the fishermen's families, and we are now in communication with Myanmar authorities to address this matter.”

This incident follows another recent abduction on October 6, when 58 fishermen and six trawlers, departing from Shah Pari Island jetty, were seized by the Myanmar Navy. The Myanmar Navy fired on one of the Bangladeshi trawlers, resulting in three injured fishermen, one of whom later died. The fishermen were eventually returned. On October 15, the BGB successfully repatriated 16 fishermen detained by the Arakan Army after crossing into Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

**Explosions Heard Across Naf River Amid Growing Tensions**

The situation along the Naf River remains tense, with residents reporting sounds of explosions from across the border in Myanmar. These sounds, believed to be caused by mortar shells or bombs launched from aircraft, have been heard since Monday night, according to locals. Mohammad Yasin, a resident of Teknaf Municipality, described increased sounds of gunfire and explosions, especially after dark, causing fear among children in the area.

This escalation in armed activity and the continuing cross-border incidents have heightened security concerns in Teknaf as local authorities closely monitor the situation.

BOB Post