A border source said three Burmese nationals were arrested by Bangladesh Rifles on Thursday on suspicion that they were entering Bangladesh territory illegally at the Kong Don – Taungbro border point.

The three were identified as 39-year-old Maung Maung Then, son of U Maung Bu Chay, 26-year-old U Maung Gro, son of U San Hla Pru, and 35-year-old U Aung Chit, son of U Ba Thein. All three hail from Maungdaw Township on the western Burmese border.

Bangladesh authorities sent the men on Tuesday to Bandarban prison in Chittagong Hill Tract after suspecting them of spying for Burma to collect information about Bangladesh troops.

Another nine Burmese nationals were arrested by Bangladesh Rifles forces on Monday on the island of Sapori, known as Shin Ma Pru in Arakan, as they entered Bangladesh territory.

The nine arrestees have been identified as Abu Ko Bi Sidek, 18 years old, Robi Uhlar, 30 years old, Maru Mohmad, 18 years old, Muhamad Ayu, 20 years old, Muhamad Salyin, 18 years old, Nurul Muhamad, 30 years old, Furi Di Amol, Muhmad Hasol, and Hasul, 18 years old. All nine are also from Maungdaw Township.

According to an official source, the nine men confessed that they had entered Bangladesh in order to travel to Malaysia via sea on board a smuggling boat departing from the Bangladesh border town Teknaf in order to look for work.

Bangladesh authorities have put out a high alert for security forces along the border after tensions ran high from a maritime dispute with Burma, and security forces continue to watch the border closely.