by Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar | December 20, 2025
A Rohingya refugee fisherman was shot dead while fishing in the Naf River along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border, local sources said, in an incident reportedly involving the Arakan Army. The killing has triggered fear and grief across nearby refugee camps, where many families depend on fishing for survival.
The victim, Kabir Ahmed, 41, was a resident of Camp 14 in Cox’s Bazar and the sole breadwinner for his family. Like many Rohingya refugees living near the border, he relied on fishing in the Naf River to support his household. On December 16, he went fishing in the Waikhom area with a relative and several others but did not return home.
After days of searching, the family received confirmation late Wednesday night that Kabir’s body had been recovered from the river. Border Guard Bangladesh informed the family and later shared photographs, through which relatives identified him.
According to information provided by authorities, Kabir Ahmed died from gunshot wounds. His body was later handed over to the family after being brought ashore by BGB personnel.
The killing has spread panic in Camp 14 and surrounding camps, where refugees say fishing, despite its dangers, remains one of the few ways to earn a living.
“He left home with a fishing net, not a weapon,” said a Rohingya community elder from the camp. “For many families here, fishing is the only way to eat.”
A relative of the victim said the family waited in hope for days, believing he might still be alive. “Now our home is silent,” the relative said. “His children keep asking when their father will come back.”
Community leaders said Kabir Ahmed was a civilian with no involvement in any armed group and described the killing as inhumane. They warned that extreme poverty and the lack of livelihood opportunities inside the camps are pushing refugees into increasingly dangerous border areas.
“People know the river is risky, but hunger is even more dangerous,” said another camp resident. “Without fishing, there is nothing.”
The victim’s family and Rohingya community leaders have called for an independent and transparent investigation into the killing. They urged authorities to ensure the safety of civilians who rely on the Naf River for their daily survival.
“Our people are being killed simply for trying to live,” a family member said. “We want justice, and we want protection.”
Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar continue to face severe hardship, with limited work opportunities and heavy dependence on humanitarian aid. For many, fishing in border waters remains a dangerous but necessary choice to keep their families alive.
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