Border News Agency
Maungdaw, September 11

The Arakan Army (AA) announced today, September 11, that armed groups based in Bangladesh, who were illegally fishing in Arakan territorial waters, killed an AA security officer and a coastal guard member, seized their weapons, and then fled back into Bangladeshi territorial waters.

It is reported that around 80 fishing boats were illegally fishing on September 10, starting at around 1 p.m., approximately 6.75 kilometers west of Koe Tan Kauk Village and about 6.72 kilometers west of Chain Khali Village in Rathedaung Township.

It was reported that only five of those boats were captured and brought to shore at around 7 p.m. for further investigation and legal procedures.

At that time, extremists disguised as fishermen killed an Arakan Army (AA) security officer and a coastal guard member on duty, seized their weapons, and then fled into Bangladeshi territorial waters, according to the report.

The Arakan Army stated that they have repeatedly captured and investigated those who illegally entered Arakan territorial waters to fish, and after issuing several warnings, handed them back each time.

However, the AA emphasized that not only repeatedly trespassing in large groups to illegally fish but also killing security personnel on duty and seizing their weapons, constitutes an act of terrorism, and they vowed to take decisive and effective action in response.

After the Arakan Army (AA) took control of the Arakan-Bangladesh border, Bangladeshi military intelligence personnel, coastal guard members, and armed groups including those identifying themselves as Rohingya have been disguising themselves as fishermen to gather intelligence, while also operating inside the Maungdaw area, according to confirmations from Bangladeshi citizens.