Arakan News Agency
The Bangladeshi Border Guards (BGB) strongly denied, on Thursday, the accusations made by the Arakan Buddhist Militias (Arakan Army) regarding their forces attacking one of the militia’s camps on the border with Myanmar, asserting that these claims are false, baseless, and aimed at propaganda and misinformation.
In a statement, they said that the alleged incident took place on November 5 near the “Palongkhali” area close to boundary marker number 19, where three armed members of the Arakan Militias crossed the zero line into Bangladeshi territory and fired three shots at the border guards’ post, one of which hit the border fence. In response, the soldiers fired several warning shots, and the situation was brought under control without any injuries.
The Border Guards also denied the Arakan Militias’ accusations that Bangladesh supports armed groups, confirming that the force strictly adheres to international laws and focuses on protecting peace and security in the border region.
The statement pointed out that the Arakan Militias had previously fired shots that hit homes and shops inside Bangladesh, injuring civilians, and landmines placed by their members resulted in the death of a border guard soldier inside Bangladeshi territory.
Bangladeshi border guard officials described the Arakan Militias’ accusations as part of a deliberate misinformation campaign aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Bangladeshi border forces. One officer stated, “The Arakan Militias are spreading lies because we have successfully disrupted drug and goods smuggling routes between Myanmar and Bangladesh.”
The statement added that the strict measures taken by the force have led to a reduction in the smuggling of “Yaba” pills and other drugs coming from Myanmar, confirming that the misleading propaganda campaigns by the Arakan Militias threaten to increase tension and distrust in the border areas.
The statement affirmed that the Bangladeshi Border Guards have never supported any armed group, and their primary mission is to protect the state’s sovereignty and maintain peace, urging the Arakan Militias to stop disseminating false information and work towards easing tensions.
The Bangladeshi Border Guards emphasized that they will continue their work transparently and in accordance with international law and will address misinformation campaigns with “facts, discipline, and honesty.”
