The Voice News : The Bangladesh Army has outright rejected as completely false, baseless, and malicious a report published three days ago by Indian media outlet NorthEast News titled “Bangladesh to declare Cox’s Bazar to Bandarban area as a Military Operations Zone.” The Army stated that such reports are part of a well-orchestrated disinformation campaign by certain Indian media aiming to destabilize internal security and tarnish the image of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.
The report, published on May 31, claimed not only that the Chittagong Hill Tracts region would be declared a military operation zone, but also alleged that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) would be withdrawn and redeployed to the northern Indian border. It further claimed that the Bangladesh Army would not cross the Rakhine border to assist the Arakan Army via a “humanitarian corridor,” but that the Arakan Army would collect aid and supplies from designated drop points on the Bangladesh side of the border.
Without offering much detail, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) categorically dismissed the entire report as false, baseless, and deliberately misleading.
Though numerous reports concerning the Bangladesh Army have been circulated by this online portal in the past, this is the first time the Bangladesh Army has officially responded and denied a report from this platform.
The report also suggested that the Bangladesh Army was allegedly supporting terrorist or separatist groups, a claim the Army described as completely untrue and malicious. In its statement, the Army emphasized that such unsubstantiated and fictional reports are designed to spread public confusion and promote division through ill intent.
The Bangladesh Army reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to upholding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the Constitution with the highest level of professionalism. It emphasized that it will make no compromises on national interests, and described this kind of fabricated reporting as a continued smear campaign in the guise of journalism.
The Army further stated that Bangladesh has always remained united, and that the Bangladesh Army is always prepared and committed to defending the nation’s people and territory. The Army called on the public to stay alert against such propaganda and to stand united against rumors and disinformation.