Three Bangladeshi nationals, including two teenagers, who had been detained by Myanmar’s separatist group Arakan Army were repatriated to Bangladesh from the group’s custody on Friday.
The returnees have been identified as Mohammad Bappi, 28, from Ghumdhum, Naikhongchhari; Osman Goni Rabbi, 18, also from Ghumdhum; and Mohammad Johnny Mia, 22 from Herendrapara in Tangail’s Delduar Upazila.
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) facilitated their return, and the three individuals were handed over to BGB officials at the Ghumdhum Friendship Bridge in Bandarban’s Naikhongchhari Upazila.
Lieutenant Colonel SM Khairul Alam, the commander of the Cox’s Bazar Battalion, confirmed the repatriation, stating, “Three Bangladeshi citizens, detained at different times by the Arakan Army, were handed over to BGB personnel today.”
According to the BGB, the first individual was captured on 14 February near the Tumbru border area.
The other two were detained on 28 February while fishing in the Balukhali river area, which is under the Ukhiya Battalion’s jurisdiction.
The detainees were reportedly held by the Arakan Army, which has been involved in ongoing conflict in the region.
“The BGB maintained regular communication with the Arakan Army based on information from the detainees’ families, and through sustained efforts, we were able to bring them back to Bangladesh today,” said Lieutenant Colonel Khairul Alam.
Following their arrival, the BGB coordinated with the families of the returnees to ensure their safe handover.
All three individuals were reunited with their families.
The BGB continues to maintain security along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, tackling issues such as smuggling, illegal immigration, and cross-border crimes, while ensuring professional and dedicated service.
This repatriation follows a similar operation on 18 February, 2026, where the BGB, with the assistance of other agencies, successfully brought back 73 fishermen who had been detained by the Arakan Army in the Bay of Bengal.
Among them were 66 Bangladeshi nationals and 7 Rohingya fishermen.
