Arakan Army Hands Over 73 Bangladeshi Fishermen Detained for Illegal Fishing in Arakan Waters to Bangladesh Border Guard Force

News February 17, 2026

Arakan Army Hands Over 73 Bangladeshi Fishermen (photocrd)

The Arakan Army (AA) has handed over 73 Bangladeshi fishermen—who had illegally trespassed into Arakan territory, engaged in poaching fish, and were arrested and punished in accordance with the law—to the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) on February 16 (night).

These 73 fishermen were handed over by the Arakan Army to responsible personnel from the Bangladesh Border Guard after establishing contact and conducting thorough identity verification and checks, at approximately 4:30 a.m. on the night of February 16.

Before the handover, these 73 individuals signed written pledges and commitments promising not to illegally enter Arakan territory again in the future to poach fish.

Similarly, other Bangladeshi fishermen who had been detained and punished for illegal fishing also took oaths on the Quran, swearing that they would never again illegally enter Arakan territory to engage in poaching fish.

The Arakan Coastal Security Force continuously monitors and arrests those who intentionally illegally enter Arakan waters to poach fish. Those caught are prosecuted under Arakan law, effectively and decisively punished, and action is taken accordingly.

This report aligns with recent news from February 16, 2026, where multiple Bangladeshi sources (e.g., The Daily Star, bdnews24, The Business Standard) reported that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) received and repatriated 73 fishermen (including some Rohingya among mostly Bangladeshi nationals) who had been detained by the Arakan Army at various times (often in 2025) for crossing into Myanmar/Arakan waters near the Naf River and Bay of Bengal.

The handover occurred around 4:30 p.m. (local time) at a Naf River zero-line/transit point in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, after negotiations. The fishermen were then processed and returned to their families.

The Burmese text presents the event from the AA's perspective (emphasizing enforcement against illegal poaching, pledges/oaths, and legal measures), while Bangladeshi media frames it more as a successful repatriation/rescue of their nationals.

source@arakanprincessmedia