Arakan Army abducts 12 Bangladeshi fishermen from two trawlers

Photo: Collected

Arakan Now | 27 November 2025

The Arakan Army (AA) today seized two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers and abducted 12 fishermen after the vessels reportedly became stranded in the Bay of Bengal, south of Saint Martin’s Island.

Mohammad Azim, president of the St. Martin Fishing Boat Owners’ Association, confirmed that all 12 detainees are residents of the island. He said six of the abducted fishermen were aboard a trawler owned by Iliyas of West Para, while the remaining six were on a vessel owned by Noor Ahmed of Bazar Para. According to Azim, the trawlers’ engines failed, leaving them adrift, at which point AA forces intercepted them and took the fishermen away.

Local fishing communities say they are increasingly worried as similar incidents continue to occur in the Bay of Bengal.

A Coast Guard Bangladesh (East Zone) official said they had been informed of the incident but had not yet received any formal complaint.

Meanwhile, AA-affiliated outlet Global Arakan Network reported that Arakan’s coastal security patrol “intercepted” the boats, adding that the fishermen and “all confiscated items have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further legal action.”

The outlet also noted that Arakan authorities had released around 188 Bangladeshi fishermen and 30 boats between January and July 18 this year “in the spirit of maintaining good bilateral relations.”