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

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

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

Abdur Rashid, the owner of one of the boats and the President of the Teknaf-Saint Martin Service Boat Owners Association, announced the kidnapping claim at around 11.30 this morning.

“Two service boats, SB Rasel, owned by me, and SB Faruk, owned by Abdur Rob, were seized at gunpoint by members of the Arakan Army while they were heading towards Saint Martin’s with cement and iron rods. There were six crew members on board.”

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

Teknaf-2 BGB Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed said that they have not yet received an official notification from the boat owners association, but they are investigating the issue.

An official from the Saint Martin Coast Guard station, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed that they were aware of the incident and were trying to contact the Arakan Army in Myanmar.

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