The Arakan Army (AA) on 26 October raided a boat from the Shwe Nadi express boat service that operates boats between Sittwe and Buthidaung and abducted about 50 soldiers and police, spokesperson of the AA Khaing Thukha reported to the DMG.
The AA stopped the vessel near Yay Myet village in Rathedaung Township and arrested military officers of different ranks and police, then let the boat to go, Khaing Thukha said.
“Some Bamar armed force members posing as civilians have been detained now. They include police and military officers,” he added.
He continued that military personnel and police were found moving under the cover of civilians when the vessel was searched.
At least 30 police and civilians from the craft were abducted, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, secretary of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team.
“They are police and their families. They were being transferred to Maungdaw to serve as members of Border Guard Police,” he confirmed.
Local people said that the Tatmadaw conducted air strikes using helicopters near Yay Myet, Kyauktan and Lai Gwin villages following the raid on the express boat.
“They arrested police and civilians? Does this mean we show them love and kindness? We must carry out our duties by using any means necessary to stem any and all insurrections. There is no law prohibiting the use of aircraft to fight,” Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun said.
The express boat arrived at Buthidaung on the evening at about 3:30 P.M., local residents said.
