The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Thursday noon secured the release of 20 fishermen held captive by the Arakan Army after mediating with the Myanmar rebels.

BGB’s Teknaf-2 unit chief Lieutenant Colonel Mahiuddin Ahmed confirmed the release of the fishermen. BGB mediators managed to convince the rebels that the fishermen unwittingly violated Myanmar border rules while fishing in the trans-boundary river of Naf.

All the fishermen hail from Shah Porir Dwip, Sabrang union in Teknaf, and have been safely handed over to their respective families, BGB's Mahiuddin told reporters Thursday.

On Tuesday, Arakan Army abducted the fishermen, along with 15 boats, after the fishermen mistakenly crossed into Myanmar along the Naf river – and took them to rebel-held areas.

This was the second incident of kidnapping of Bangladeshis by the rebels in about a month, amid an escalating civil war in Myanmar.

Arakan Army is bolstering its footprint in Myanmar having driven out government-backed forces in a series of intense clashes.