Myanmar’s armed rebel group Arakan Army has abducted four Bangladeshi fishermen along with their boats from the Naf River estuary in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
The incident occurred near the Golarchar mouth area of Shahparir Island around 11am on Tuesday.
The abducted fishermen have been identified as Md Hasan, 30, Abdu Rakim, 20, Md Jaber, 26, and Md Hasan, 16 — all residents of Dakshinpara, Shah Porir Dwip, Teknaf.
Bashir Ahmed, president of South Naughat of Teknaf Shah Porir Dwip, confirmed the incident.
"Like every day, they went fishing in the Naf River, when members of the Arakan Army abducted them along with their boats. This has created panic in the fishing village. The incident has been reported to the local administration, including the BGB," he said.
A Teknaf BGB official, who wished to remain anonymous, acknowledged the incident. "We have received reports that four fishermen were taken away along with their boats from the Naf River after crossing the Bangladesh border. We are investigating and working on their quick return."
Confirming the matter, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said: "I have heard about the abduction. Law enforcement agencies are actively working to bring them back."
On October 6 last year, 58 fishermen from Shah Porir Dwip were abducted by Myanmar's navy while fishing in deep waters.
On October 9, a Myanmar navy patrol boat fired at a Bangladeshi trawler, killing one fisherman and injuring three others. Bangladesh strongly protested the attack.
Later, on October 15, the BGB successfully repatriated 16 Bangladeshi fishermen held by the Arakan Army in Myanmar's Rakhine State.
