Abductions of dozens of fishermen, human trafficking, and drug crime all grip Teknaf. There has even been an incident of a BGB patrol being fired upon by bandits on the 26th of August, who fled into Myanmar afterwards. The bandits left behind a cache of Burmese-made MA-1 rifles and G3 battle rifles, along with 507 rounds of ammunition [bdnews24]. Human trafficking and drug dealing are the primary criminal rackets in the region, victimizing both Bangladeshis and Rohingya refugees.
The Arakan Army (AA) continues to abduct Bangladeshi fishermen off the coast of Teknaf within the estuary zone of the Naf River. This section of the Naf is where the border boundaries between Bangladesh and Myanmar are unclear, leading fishermen to inadvertently cross into territory held by the Arakan Army. The number of abductees is staggering to say the least, with 69 falling victim from between August to late September 2025. Return efforts are arranged by the Coast Guard and BGB. [Bangladesh Pratidin]
It appears that such events have become a regular occurrence in the wake of the Arakan Army’s control of the Burmese side of the border and the increase in activity by Rohingya militant groups. The southernmost tip of Bangladesh is no stranger to unlawful activity and security incidents, but BGB and Coast Guard personnel currently find their hands full.
Multiple and repeated raids along the Marine Drive Road leading into Teknaf proper and the hills to the eastern side of the road have successfully busted perpetrators and rescued victims. The section of the hills situated in Baharchhara union has emerged as a particular hotspot for human trafficking activity, alongside the southernmost tip of Shahporir Dip. Those detained frequently tend to be in their 20s, signifying the entry of more and more young people into such criminal operations.
21st August witnessed gunfire across the border from Whaikhyang, with an initial group of 62 Rohingya refugees intercepted while crossing in nearby locales. This event marked the first instance of audible gunfire in 18th months in Whaikhyang, indicating that gunfights were taking place not far from the border. Naturally, residents were left to feel uneasy. [The Business Standard]
Of particular note within this time frame has been a major assault on an Arakan Army base across the border in Maungdaw. It is alleged that members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) attempted to assault a border security camp belonging to the Arakan Army. Repeated attempts to capture the camp began on the 16th of September, before local AA reinforcements arrived to repel them. The political wing of the Arakan Army, the United League of Arakan, further went on to accuse ARSA of massacring villagers near the camp on the same day.
Most significantly, however, these accusations were rounded up with them claiming that some sections of the BGB were assisting ARSA and Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), a different Rohingya militant group. [Narinjara News]
Rohingya militant groups have been raiding Arakan Army patrols and outposts since late 2024, according to the International Crisis Group. It appears that attacks against the AA are being gradually escalated. It remains to be seen where heightened tensions lead towards in the near future.
Verification Note: Information sourced from and corroborated based on news reports from various sources. Sources are carefully weighed for authenticity and acceptability prior to mapping and writing. Map icons are placed as closely as possible to the site of the incident through triangulation, as reported by sources.
Fatin Anwar is an Associate Analyst at Bangladesh Defence Journal. He is responsible for in-depth research and analysis in combination with OSINT tools/techniques A gradaute of geography from the University of Dhaka, he had previously spent years working as a freelance writer specializing in research-heavy pieces related to geopolitics and military history.