High Alert on Bangladesh–Myanmar Border After Detention of 53 ARSA Rebels
ARSA militants detained as cross-border violence escalates sharply
Bangladesh has detained 53 members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) after they illegally crossed into its territory from Myanmar, triggering heightened security measures along the southeastern border. Officials confirmed that the situation has prompted the government to place border forces on high alert, citing concerns over spillover from intensifying conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Paramilitary authorities said the militants were intercepted near the Teknaf area of Cox’s Bazar district, a region already under strain due to the presence of more than one million Rohingya refugees. Colonel Moinuddin Ahmed of Border Guard Bangladesh stated that security forces acted swiftly to prevent further breaches, adding that continuous patrols and intelligence-based monitoring have been strengthened across vulnerable border points.
The unrest has had direct consequences for civilians in Bangladesh. At least two people were injured by cross-border gunfire since Sunday, including a 12-year-old girl who suffered a bullet injury. Police officials confirmed that one of the detained militants was admitted to a hospital for treatment, while the remaining detainees were handed over to police custody as legal procedures move forward.
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Bangladesh’s security agencies report that fierce clashes are ongoing across the border in Myanmar, involving ARSA fighters, the Arakan Army, and the country’s ruling military junta. Heavy gunfire, mortar shelling, and air strikes have reportedly affected multiple villages in Rakhine state, with smoke and explosions visible from the Bangladeshi side, raising fears of further instability.
In response, Dhaka has deployed additional law enforcement and paramilitary units to border villages to maintain vigilance and prevent fresh infiltrations. Residents in these areas remain fearful, limiting movement amid persistent security threats, as authorities continue to monitor the evolving three-way conflict and assess potential risks to border stability.
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