Maung Sar Ga — The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) released a statement today denying any connection to a recent landmine explosion that killed three civilians within Bangladeshi territory near the Rakhine State border.
The incident occurred on May 24 at approximately 11:00 AM in Naikhongchhari Township, located in Bangladesh's Bandarban District.
The blast killed three local villagers who were working in nearby fields .
In its statement, the ULA/AA expressed deep sadness and extended its condolences to the families and relatives of the victims.
The ULA/AA further stated that terrorist organizations operating along the border, including Islamic extremist militant groups such as ARSA, ARA, and RSO, along with their proxy propaganda channels, are spreading misinformation by falsely blaming the ULA/AA for planting the mines.
"We unequivocally deny these allegations, as the incident occurred on the Bangladeshi side and has absolutely no connection to us whatsoever," the statement said.
The border zone where the explosion occurred remains highly volatile, serving as a regular transit route and operational base for multiple armed groups moving through the remote jungle terrain.
The region remains a primary transit hub for armed militant groups, including the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO).
These organizations have actively restricted local ethnic Bangladeshis from accessing the area.
Consequently, residents along the Arakan-Bangladesh border are urged to exercise extreme caution. Significant dangers from armed groups and landmines persist in forests, abandoned fields, and even regularly frequented areas.
"Therefore, we solemnly announce that this mine explosion has absolutely no connection to the ULA/AA," the statement read.
"We stand ready to cooperate with the Government of Bangladesh and international counter-terrorism organizations to combat the threats posed by Islamic extremist militant groups committing acts of terror along the border region.”
According to Hill Voice, a media outlet focusing on minority groups in Bangladesh, the landmine was planted by ARSA.
The statement noted that for some time, Islamic extremist militant groups operating along the Bangladesh-Arakan border, including ARSA, ARA, and RSO, have capitalized on the Arakan Army’s ongoing fight against the military junta's offensive.
According to the document, these organizations have planted improvised mines in remote jungles and along roadsides, leading to sporadic civilian deaths and injuries on both sides of the border. The groups are also accused of executing ambushes, targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom, violent robberies, and the systemic theft of local livestock.
The Arakan Army (AA) concluded by highlighting that while formal diplomatic ties between the Government of Bangladesh and the Arakkha People's Revolutionary Government do not yet exist, progress was being made toward mutual understanding on socio-economic, health, and humanitarian issues.
However, the statement alleged that certain malicious, internationally-based groups are now using recent incidents to politically smear the ULA/AA in an attempt to destroy these developing bilateral relations.
