ARSA Militant from Refugee Camp Found Alive on Shah Porir Dwip in Bangladesh

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Global Arakan Network October 17, 2025

A member of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) militant group from a Bangladesh refugee camp was found alive on Shah Porir Dwip — known locally to the Arakanese as Shin Phyu Kyun Island— on October 15, according to local residents.

The individual, identified as Bashir, aged 40, reportedly drifted at sea for two days after his boat sank. He was later discovered alive near the shore of Anauk Pet Village on Shah Porir Dwip.

According to Bangladeshi media reports, Bashir stated that he is a resident of Block S/8, Camp No. 15, Balukhali Refugee Camp, in Ukhiya Township, Cox’s Bazar District. Sources said that around 70 ARSA militants were on board the same boat when it sank, and that the remaining members drowned.

Local residents reportedly provided first aid to Bashir before handing him over to the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB).

ARSA Terrorist inside Bangladesh

Reports indicate that ARSA and other armed Muslim militant groups have established bases inside several refugee camps in Bangladesh. These groups are also recruiting young camp residents for combat training, and of abducting or killing those who refuse to join.

Reliable sources also confirmed that in September, ARSA began recruiting underage boys from the camps, indoctrinating them with extremist ideology and preparing them for violent operations.

Earlier this year, on March 4, ARSA militants allegedly assassinated a camp leader inside a refugee camp in Ukhiya Township, Cox’s Bazar District. On March 17, Bangladeshi authorities arrested ARSA leader Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi while he was staying in Dhaka city.

Political analysts say that the continued presence of armed militant groups inside the refugee camps remains one of the major obstacles to repatriation efforts for displaced Muslims currently living in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Arakan Army (AA) Commander-in-Chief Major General Tun Myat Naing stated in an interview with The Irrawaddy in September that some elements within the Bangladeshi authorities have allegedly provided military assistance to militant groups operating inside these camps.

According to the ULA/AA, these armed groups have established temporary and permanent bases near Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) outposts along the Arakkha–Bangladesh border. They have allegedly infiltrated Arakkha territory, abducting and killing local civilians — including travelers, firewood collectors, and bamboo gatherers — and have occasionally opened fire on Arakan Army border outposts.

It is also reported that ARSA and related militant groups continue to run recruitment and logistics networks within the Bangladeshi refugee camps, gathering new members and supplies to support their operations.

source@arakanbaynews