Narinjara News, 15 March 2025 

On the evening of March 15, the Arakan Army (AA) freed 26 Bangladeshi fishermen and transferred them to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), according to Dhaka Tribune. 

Lieutenant Colonel Ashikur Rahman, the commander of the BGB-2 Battalion in Teknaf, stated that the fishermen were sent back via the Teknaf-Myanmar transit jetty, close to Chowdhury Para in Teknaf Municipality, at approximately 5:30 pm on Saturday.

Lieutenant Colonel Rahman confirmed that the fishermen were held at different intervals during March while fishing and were released following extensive negotiations with AA officials. 

"Data is being gathered from the fishermen who returned, and they will be given to their families afterwards," he stated. 

One of the fishermen who returned, Abdul Aziz, stated, “The Arakan Army (AA) helped us to enhance communication with the Bangladesh government. By bringing us back, they intend to reinforce ties with the Bangladeshi government.” 

Another fisherman who returned, Abdullah, mentioned, “I’m really glad to be in my homeland after so many days. They captured us as we were coming back from fishing close to the Naikhongdia and Bangladesh borders. The Arakan Army (AA) informed us that we had been apprehended for fishing unlawfully in their territory.” 

Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin stated, “Due to the efforts of the BGB, the 26 fishermen who were apprehended while fishing have been returned. The government is also striving to return the remaining individuals.