The Border Guard Bangladesh on Friday refuted allegations and misinformation spread by the Arakan Army and the United League of Arakan regarding BGB鈥檚 border operations and allegations of supporting the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army or the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation.
The BGB issued a statement on Friday in response to the recent propaganda and misinformation spread by the ULA and its military wing AA, an ethnic armed group based in Myanmar state of Rakhine, saying that the BGB upheld the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in border security.
Referring to an incident that took place in Cox鈥檚 Bazar鈥檚 Palongkhali border area on November 5, the statement said that three armed AA members deliberately crossed the zero line and fired three shots, aiming at BGB personnel or post without any provocation while one of the bullets hit border post signalling AA鈥檚 hostile intentions along the border, which was a clear indication of provocation.
It said that members of BGB exercised restraint and responded with warning shots, resulting in no casualties or injuries.
The statement mentioned that previously bullets from AA members hit Bangladeshi civilian houses, shops at the border areas, even injured civilians occasionally while mines of AA killed civilians and one BGB soldier in the past.
It highlighted that the AA and the ULA continued to spread false narratives claiming that the BGB supports the RSO, the ARSA or Rohingya armed groups.
鈥楾hese fabrications are part of a deliberate effort to tarnish BGB鈥檚 reputation, especially as our vigilant border patrols have effectively stopped the smuggling of goods and narcotics, particularly Yaba, from Rakhine across the border,鈥� said the statement, adding that BGB鈥檚 border activities significantly disrupted and threatened the agendas of AA.
鈥楢s the AA struggles to obtain smuggled goods and secure logistics at the border due to BGB鈥檚 vigilance, they are presumably spreading false narratives to defame the BGB, and eventually Bangladesh,鈥� it added.
鈥楾he BGB categorically states that it provides no support whatsoever to Rakhine-based or any Rohingya armed groups, including RSO/ARSA or others. Our primary concern is safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of our nation,鈥� it stated.
The statement urged the AA and the ULA to cease all propaganda aimed at damaging BGB鈥檚 reputation as such propaganda and baseless allegations neither fetch legitimacy nor foster peace.
The BGB also expressed disappointment over the behaviour of the AA and the ULA, which was regrettable, acts of provocation and deliberate attempts to escalate tension in the border, it said.
