The Arakan Army (AA) abducted police members and some passengers from a vessel heading from Sittwe to Buthidaung Township, in Yathaedaung Township in Rakhine State, on the morning of October 26.

Shwenadi vessel carrying more than 160 passengers left Sittwe for Buthidaung at 7 am on October 26. The AA forced the vessel to stop near Yaymyat village in Yathaedaung Township at around 10.30 am and then took some passengers as hostages. The AA allowed the vessel to leave for Buthidaung. The vessel stopped for a break at Yathaedaung and Ophauk jetties and arrived at Buthidaung jetty at 3.30 pm.

According to the preliminary information, the AA abducted more than 50 hostages including 11 police officers and 16 other ranks.

At a press conference on October 26, Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Secretary of Tatmadaw True News Information Team said: “The police members and their families were abducted while they were moving to their posting area at the Border Police Headquarters in Maungdaw Township. The police members did not wear their uniforms. The exact number of hostages is under investigation.”

“Everybody use the hovercraft. The police members are using this vessel not for the military operation. They take the vessel like the ordinary passenger. It amounts to threatening the life and property of the public and the smooth and secure operation of traffic. Take a look at the arrest of fire brigade members, they went to Sittwe after the completion of their training course. They were on a trip as the ordinary passengers. These disruptions would amount to destroying the smooth operation of traffic and basic administrative mechanism. This is a threat to the country’s sovereignty,” he added.

Replying to the question raised by a reporter about the use of helicopter in the fight, Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun said: “We cannot confirm the exact number of detainees. The figure is at least 30 people. The AA also abducted some passengers. We are trying to rescue the hostages. We are not using the flights. We are using helicopters. There is no international law which bans the use of flights and helicopters in any military operations against insurgents. The Philippines used fighter bombers in the south of the country. The army can use necessary forces. Tatmadaw and Myanmar Police Force cannot pray for the well-being of others counting beads. We should response to it. It is our duty.”

Maj-Gen Tun Tun Nyi, Vice-Chair of the Tatmadaw True New Information Team said: “This is the significant one among the AA’s terrorist acts.