Four Bangladeshi fishermen abducted from Naf River

Armed individuals, suspected to be Arakan Army members, have allegedly abducted four Bangladeshi fishermen, along with their trawler, from an area near the Naf River estuary in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar.

The incident occurred near Shahporir Dwip in Sabrang union at around 11:30am today, according to Lieutenant HM Sartaj Bin Sohrab, commander of the Coast Guard's Shahporir Dwip station.

The abductees were identified as Md Hasan, 30, Abdu Rokim, 20, Md Jaber, 26, and Md Hasan, 16, all residents of Dakshinpara in Sabrang union.

Quoting locals, Lieutenant Sohrab said the fishermen were out fishing as usual when "armed individuals" approached them in a speedboat from the Myanmar side. The assailants surrounded the trawler "at gunpoint and then took both the vessel and the fishermen inside Myanmar."

Locals later informed the Coast Guard of the incident, following which senior authorities, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and other relevant officials were notified.

"The Coast Guard has increased surveillance on the Naf River and launched a rescue operation for the abducted fishermen," the official added.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said he had received reports of the abduction from local representatives and residents.

"The BGB and relevant authorities are working to rescue the fishermen. Due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, most of the areas across the border are currently under the control of the Arakan Army. That is why we believe Arakan Army men may have carried out the abduction," he said.

The BGB has also intensified security and surveillance along the Naf River border in response to the incident.

Attempts to contact Lieutenant Colonel Md Ashiqur Rahman, commanding officer of Teknaf-2 Battalion of the BGB, were unsuccessful.