BGB admits to firing at Arakan Army outposts along border

By Admin 07 Nov 2025

DMG Newsroom

7 November 2025, Maungdaw

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has acknowledged that its troops opened fire on Arakan Army (AA) fighters along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, saying they returned fire after being attacked first.

According to the BGB, three AA members crossed the Zero Line on November 5 and fired three shots at BGB troops, hitting a border post. The BGB said its personnel responded with warning shots, and no injuries were reported.

The Bangladeshi side issued an explanation regarding the incident in which BGB troops fired four rounds from AK rifles at an AA security post on A Htet Kyee Island near Border Post No. 22 that same day.

AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha denied the BGB's account, telling DMG: "There was no incident where we fired as the BGB alleges. None of our soldiers crossed the border as they claim."

Troops from both sides are said to be maintaining regular security patrols along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.

"In the border area, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), which are based in Bangladesh, sometimes cross into our side by small boats on islands in the Naf River. From there, they fire in the direction they choose. Sometimes ARSA members even fire back toward the Bangladesh side," said U Khaing Thukha.

The AA has also been accused of killing a BGB soldier with a landmine allegedly planted by Muslim militants.

Commenting on that allegation, U Khaing Thukha said: "Earlier, a BGB member was injured after stepping on a mine planted by ARSA and later died in hospital. These problems arise because Bangladesh cannot control the terrorist groups it has trained and equipped. They have nothing to do with us."

The BGB has denied any connection to Muslim armed groups and has countered that such accusations are attempts to damage its reputation.

The force also rejected claims linking it to drug trafficking, calling them propaganda, and said Muslim armed groups are based in Myanmar's Arakan State, not in Bangladesh.

The BGB urged the Arakan Army to refrain from making what it called "baseless allegations," saying such claims undermine peace efforts and mutual understanding.