5 Myanmar army, BGP personnel held in Bandarban

Staff Reporter:

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained five members of Myanmar’s security forces four from the Border Guard Police (BGP) and one from the army along the Ghumdhum border in Bandarban’s Naikhongchhari upazila on Sunday, police said.

The detentions took place around noon in Gachhbunia Para of Ward-9 under Ghumdhum union, near Border Pillar 42.

The individuals detained have been identified as: Ko Ko Sine, 35, second inspector of the BGP, from Momek town in Shan State, Soe Thura, 38, BGP member from Pan Tanaw in the Ayeyarwady region, Aung San Htu, 25, BGP member from Magatutaw town in Ayeyarwady, Kyaw Zayer Lin, 32, BGP member from Ayeyarwady, Min Min Oo, 41, a Myanmar army member from the Yangon region.

Naikhongchhari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Masrurul Haque said police have been informed of the detentions but the individuals had not yet been handed over. “Legal action will be taken once they are officially transferred to us,” he said.

Locals told reporters that around midday, the five Myanmar security personnel approached residents of Gachhbunia Para located approximately 1.5 kilometres inside Bangladesh from Border Pillar 42—seeking shelter. A patrol team from the 34 BGB’s Mongjoypara Border Outpost later detained them and took them into custody. Attempts to reach Lieutenant Colonel SM Khairul Alam, commanding officer of Cox’s Bazar 34 BGB, were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.

Naikhongchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mazharul Islam Chowdhury confirmed the incident, saying he had been informed that the detainees were currently in BGB custody.