- Security forces arrested ARSA's commander-in-chief in a raid
- Charges include terrorism, sabotage, and illegal entry
- 10 other members detained in coordinated operations
- ARSA linked to crimes in refugee camps and regional instability
- Over 1 million Rohingya refugees remain in Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion conducted a targeted operation in Narayanganj district, apprehending Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, the Pakistani-born leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). Authorities allege Jununi orchestrated attacks in Myanmar and directed criminal networks within overcrowded refugee settlements. The arrest marks a critical breakthrough in addressing cross-border security threats linked to Rohingya armed groups.
Intelligence reports confirm ARSA’s involvement in smuggling operations and camp violence that claimed hundreds of lives since 2017. During raids, officials seized weapons and financial assets, exposing the group’s transnational networks. Jununi’s detention follows months of surveillance revealing connections to training camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to International Crisis Group analysts.
The Rohingya refugee crisis remains central to regional stability, with Bangladesh bearing the humanitarian burden. Over 1.2 million displaced individuals now reside in Cox’s Bazar camps, including 150,000 children born in exile since 2017. Recent clashes between ARSA factions and the Arakan Army in Myanmar’s Rakhine state have further complicated repatriation efforts, creating cyclical displacement patterns.
Security experts warn that militant recruitment in the camps threatens long-term peace. A 2023 UN report documented 42 armed groups operating near Bangladesh-Myanmar borders, with ARSA controlling 60% of illicit trade routes. Bangladesh’s Home Minister emphasized enhanced biometric registration to combat extremism: We’re dismantling terror infrastructure while upholding humanitarian commitments.
Regional cooperation gaps exacerbate challenges. While Myanmar’s military junta denies citizenship to Rohingya, Bangladesh seeks international support for sustainable solutions. The European Union recently pledged €12 million for camp security upgrades, reflecting growing global concern about radicalization risks in protracted refugee situations.