Dhaka, Mar 23 (V7N) – The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has dismissed rumors that 33 of its members went missing during a mission in the Naf River near the Myanmar border. In an official statement on its verified Facebook page, BGB confirmed that the news circulating on social media is false and misleading. However, the force acknowledged that one BGB member is missing after falling into the sea during a rescue operation.

According to the BGB statement, various social media platforms have been spreading propaganda claiming that 33 BGB members have gone missing while on a mission in the Naf River over the past two days. The statement clarified,

"This information is baseless and intentional. The BGB urges everyone not to believe or spread such misinformation."

Providing details of the actual incident, BGB reported that a boat carrying Rohingya refugees illegally tried to enter Bangladesh by sea near Paschimpara Ghat on Shahparir Island in Teknaf early Saturday morning. Due to strong currents, the boat capsized, endangering the lives of its passengers.

Upon receiving the distress call, BGB members patrolling near the beach rushed to the scene with the help of local fishermen and managed to rescue 24 Rohingyas alive. Unfortunately, during the rescue operation, one BGB member slipped into the sea and went missing due to the rough waters.

BGB confirmed that search and rescue operations are still ongoing for the missing BGB personnel and any other possible survivors from the boat. The force has urged the public to rely on official sources for updates and to refrain from spreading unverified information.

END/MSS/AJ