BGB Denies Arakan Army and ULA Claims Regarding Border Operations

Bangladesh Border Force Refutes Allegations by Arakan Army, Cites Unprovoked Attack

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has issued a strong rebuttal against what it describes as “unfounded allegations” and “misinformation” spread by the Arakan Army (AA) and United League of Arakan (ULA) regarding its border operations and alleged support for Rohingya armed groups.

In a detailed statement released Friday, the paramilitary force defended its professional conduct while highlighting a November 5 incident near Border Reference Mark 19 in the Palongkhali area within Bangladesh’s territory. According to BGB officials, three armed AA members crossed the zero line and fired shots at BGB personnel without provocation.

“One of the bullets from AA even hit our border post signalling their hostile intentions along the border, which is a clear indication of provocation,” the statement explained. BGB personnel reportedly responded with warning shots, resulting in no casualties or injuries on either side.

The border force emphasized that this wasn’t an isolated incident, noting that in the past, bullets from AA operations have struck civilian homes and shops in border areas, occasionally injuring residents. They also mentioned that landmines placed by the AA have resulted in civilian casualties and killed a BGB soldier.

The statement directly addressed accusations that Bangladesh’s border force supports Rohingya armed groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) or Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO). The BGB categorically denied these allegations, describing them as “entirely baseless” and part of a “deliberate effort to tarnish BGB’s reputation.”

BGB officials suggest these accusations stem from the group’s successful border security operations that have disrupted smuggling networks. “As AA struggles to obtain smuggled goods and secure logistics at the border due to BGB’s vigilance, they are presumably spreading false narratives to defame BGB, and eventually Bangladesh,” the statement noted.

The border force highlighted its efforts in curbing narcotics trafficking, particularly Yaba (methamphetamine), from Myanmar’s Rakhine State into Bangladesh. These anti-smuggling operations have apparently created tensions with groups involved in cross-border trafficking.

The BGB also pointed to a pattern of information warfare, suggesting that “each BGB response or clarification is met with a second round of misinformation and false narratives aimed at eroding our credibility.” The force predicted that their current statement might provoke another round of propaganda from the Arakan Army.

Regional security experts note that this public dispute occurs against the backdrop of ongoing instability in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, which borders Bangladesh. The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed organization seeking greater autonomy for the Rakhine people, has been engaged in intensifying conflict with Myanmar’s military junta, particularly since late 2023.

The situation is further complicated by the presence of over a million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh who fled persecution in Myanmar, creating a complex humanitarian and security challenge in the border region.

In its statement, the BGB urged the AA and ULA to “cease all propaganda aimed at damaging BGB’s reputation,” stressing that “propaganda and baseless allegations neither fetch legitimacy nor foster peace; instead, they hinder efforts to build trust and stability along the border.”

The border force expressed disappointment with what it characterized as provocative behavior by AA/ULA, describing their actions as a “deliberate attempt to escalate tension in the border” area.

Bangladesh’s border with Myanmar stretches approximately 271 kilometers, most of which runs along challenging terrain that has historically been difficult to monitor. The BGB remains the primary agency responsible for securing this frontier and countering transnational threats including smuggling, trafficking, and unauthorized crossings.