Two boats with six crew members were reportedly captured by the Arakan Army

Two boats carrying construction materials, including cement and iron bars, were reportedly captured by Myanmar’s Arakan Army while en route from Teknaf to Saint Martin Island.

According to boat owners, six crew members were taken away with the vessels.

The incident took place yesterday afternoon (November 12) at the mouth of the Naf River.

Abdur Rashid, owner of one of the boats and chairman of the Teknaf-Saint Martin Service Boat Owners Association, announced the alleged kidnapping around 11:30 this morning.

‘Two service boats, SB Rasel, owned by me, and SB Faruk, owned by Abdur Rob, were en route to Saint Martin’s with cement and iron bars when they were seized at gunpoint by members of the Arakan army. Six crew members were on board.’

The boat owners immediately informed the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB), the coast guard and the local government about the incident.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed, commander of the Teknaf-2 BGB battalion, said they have not yet received an official notice from the boat owners association but they are looking into the matter.

An official at Saint Martin’s Coast Guard Station, who preferred not to be named, confirmed they were aware of the incident and are trying to contact the Arakan Army in Myanmar.

“The matter has also been reported to higher authorities,” the official added.