Staff Reporter:
The ISPR has rejected “false and misleading” reports that the Bangladesh Navy sunk an Indian fishing trawler in the Indian part of the Bay of Bengal on Monday.
The media reports and social media claims in this regard are unfounded, the ISPR said in a press release on Tuesday, urging media outlets to exercise responsible journalism.
In fact, at the time the Indian fishing trawler named PAROMITA-10 met with the accident, Bangladesh Navy patrol ship was conducting routine maritime patrol well within Bangladesh waters, at a distance of more than 12 miles from the incident location, ISPR claimed.
Bangladesh Navy had no involvement whatsoever in the said incident, it added.
ISPR’s description of the incident is as follows:
“On Monday (15 December 2025), Bangladesh Local Time at 15:15 hours, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Indian Coast Guard officially informed MRCC, Dhaka via email that an Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) named PAROMITA-10 had capsized and sunk in Indian waters of the Bay of Bengal with 16 fishermen on board. Another Indian fishing trawler IFB RAGHUPATI successfully rescued 11 fishermen, while the remaining five fishermen remain missing. T
“he Indian Coast Guard subsequently requested all nearby ships and fishing trawlers to assist in the ongoing search efforts. Immediately upon receiving this information, Bangladesh Navy promptly directed its patrol ship to undertake search activities within Bangladesh waters. Through close coordination and cooperation with the relevant authorities of both Bangladesh and India, Bangladesh Navy patrol ship actively participated in the searching efforts alongside the Indian Coast Guard and local Bangladeshi fishermen. Such initiatives reflect the Bangladesh Navy’s commitment to humanitarian assistance at sea and contribute significantly to strengthening mutual trust, cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighboring countries.
“Notwithstanding these facts, some sections of the News Media and Social Media have continued to disseminate unfounded allegations claiming that a Bangladesh Navy ship entered Indian waters and sank the fishing trawler PAROMITA-10. These claims are entirely baseless. The publishing of such misinformation is deeply regrettable and unwarranted. In this regard, all media outlets are earnestly urged to exercise responsible journalism and to refrain from publishing and circulating misleading, sensational or defamatory reports against Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh.”
