In Cox’s Bazar, a 21-year-old claiming to be an Arakan Army soldier turned himself in to the border guard. He came armed with an AK-47, two magazines, and 52 bullets, all of which he surrendered to the BGB.
The man identified himself as Jibon Tonchongya. BGB officials said he approached their post at the Balukhali border in Ukhiya’s Palongkhali Union around 9am on Monday.
According to BGB, Jibon told interrogators he had fled from a camp in Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, due to threats to his safety. He claimed he is from Gorjbonia village in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban district in Bangladesh.
Lt Col Mohammad Jasim Uddin, commander of BGB’s Ukhiya Battalion 64, said Jibon’s nationality has not been confirmed. “He claims to be a Bangladeshi citizen. We are verifying his identity,” he said.
The BGB commander also cited Jibon as saying that at least 300 more Arakan Army members have fled the same camp, and some might try to enter Bangladesh.
After surrendering, the fighter was taken into custody with his weapon and ammunition. He is now set to be turned over to the Ukhiya Police Station.
Security measures along the border have been tightened to prevent infiltration.
The sound of gunfire broke out again near the Ghumdhum border on Sunday night. People living in Naikhongchhari said they heard shots on and off, starting around 10 p.m., coming from across the border in Rakhine State.
Lt Col SM Khairul Alam, commander of BGB Cox’s Bazar Battalion 34, said the firing took place about 300 metres from the zero line. “No bullets entered our territory,” he said.
The reported clashes were believed to involve the Arakan Army and either the Arakan Salvation Army (ARSA) or the Arakan Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (ARSO), though no official confirmation was available.
