The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has successfully repatriated 14 fishermen, including a Rohingya refugee, who had been held captive by the Myanmar insurgent group, the Arakan Army.
The group, consisting of 13 Bangladeshi nationals and one Rohingya Muslim sheltered in a refugee camp, was brought back to the Teknaf jetty on Saturday. Their return followed a handover to a BGB delegation at the zero line of the Naf River.
Lieutenant Colonel Md Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Commander of the BGB 2nd Battalion in Teknaf, confirmed the successful repatriation. He explained that the fishermen had accidentally crossed into Myanmar’s territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal while fishing at various intervals between 2025 and 2026.
After being captured, the fishermen were moved to various camps controlled by the Arakan Army within Myanmar, where they were detained for different periods.
The BGB’s Cox’s Bazar Region initiated the rescue operation by establishing effective communication with the insurgent group, prioritising humanitarian concerns. Following sustained efforts and coordination, significant progress was made towards the phased return of the detainees.
Lt Col Bhuiyan stated that the BGB consistently ensures the security of the lives and property of the country’s citizens, in addition to border protection. He credited the successful recovery of the fishermen to the BGB’s professionalism, sincerity, and effective coordination in managing humanitarian crises.
Authorities have confirmed that the process of reuniting the rescued fishermen with their respective families is now underway.
