Two Bangladeshis Injured In 'Border Firing' In Bandarban

In the border area near Naikhongchhari in Bandarban, incidents of gunfire have been reported between the Myanmar military and rebels, resulting in injuries to two Bangladeshis from across the border, according to locals.

The injured individuals are identified as Prabir Chandra and Rahima Begum, residents of Tumbru Camp Para. Rahima Begum is the wife of former union member Dil Mohammad.

Khaleda Begum, a female member of Ghumdhum Union, stated that on Sunday morning at 10 o'clock, two Bangladeshis were injured on this side of the border due to gunfire incidents across the border. Later, they were evacuated by helicopter.

In the wake of the gunfire incident near the border, no students attended five government primary schools in the adjacent area, according to the teachers.

The schools include Bhaishfari Government Primary School in Ghumdhum Union, Bhajabonia Government Primary School, Tumbru Government Primary School, Pashchimkul Government Primary School, and Dakshin Ghumdhum Government Primary School.

Hilal Uddin, the head teacher of Pashchimkul Government Primary School, mentioned that on Sunday morning, the sound of intense gunfire was heard from across the border. Gunfire continued intermittently until noon. No students came to school due to fear. However, all teachers were present in the schools. Whether students will come to school or not in the coming days will depend on the situation across the border.

Faridul Alam Husaini, the District Education Officer, mentioned that no students attended even the madrasa in the border area due to the gunfire incident.

Jahangir Aziz, the Chairman of Ghumdhum Union Parishad, informed that on Saturday evening and night, firing incidents occurred across the border from the Tumbru Right Pillar camp area in Rakhine, Myanmar, towards the border area. The residents of the border area are in fear due to the ongoing confrontation between the two sides.

Locals reported that on Sunday morning (February 4), gunfire sounds continued intermittently from the Naikhongchhari and Palongkhali border areas of Bandarban and Ukhiya in Cox's Bazar, creating panic among the residents on this side. Many homes and shops in the Tumbru area of Ghumdhum are closed for safety.

On the night of last Saturday, the Border Guard Police (BGP) of Myanmar's 34th Right Camp infiltrated Bangladesh to seek refuge in BGB's Tumbru camp after the Arakan Army launched an attack.