Sittwe, Rakhine State — The Arakan Army (AA) has abducted three young men, who are the sons of military personnel in Rakhine State’s Rathedaung Township, according to Myanmar’s military.

Government troops are searching for the three abductees, aged 20, 23 and 24, said Major General Tun Tun Nyi, vice-chairman of the military-run Tatmadaw True News Information Team.

“Troops are carrying out rescue operations. We have no updates as yet,” he told The Irrawaddy.

The three sons of the personnel from the Rathedaung-based Light Infantry Battalion 536 went to Kyeinthar village on two motorbikes at around 3.30 pm on Wednesday. They were abducted by AA fighters or their supporters at the village, according to the military or Tatmadaw.

The AA said it seized an Israeli-made military-grade Skylark l-LEX unmanned aircraft belonging to Myanmar’s military on Wednesday. The rebel group then detained the three young people who purportedly came to look for the drone.

An AA press release included photos of the three men, who are reportedly the sons of two sergeants and a corporal.

The statement did not say whether the AA will release the three men but it has previously released the relatives of security personnel it detained during clashes.

As the government has declared the AA a terrorist organization, The Irrawaddy was not able to contact the armed group for a comment.