Heavy shelling on Teknaf border, black smoke billowing

Dhaka Tribune, Publish : 02 Mar 2024, 02:35 PM

Heavy shelling was reported from Myanmar across the Naf River at the Teknaf border in Cox's Bazar, with black smoke enveloping the area.

The terrifying sound of mortar shells has been heard from Myanmar since Saturday morning, causing fear among the approximately 10,000 people living near the border.

Rashed Mohammad Ali, chairman of Teknaf's Hnila Union Parishad, said: "Since morning, I have been hearing the sound of heavy mortar shells from Myanmar on the other side. Fishermen and farmers spend their days in fear at the border with the sound of mortar shells. Apart from this, the black smoke of the fire is also seen there since morning. We are looking for people at the border.”

It is reported that the armed group Arakan Army is clashing with military forces in villages in Myanmar east of Huaikong and Hnila border.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guard have increased patrolling in the Naf River in the 54km area from Huaikong of Teknaf upazila to Shahpari island of that border.

Ilias, a resident of Hnila border, said: "Heavy gunfire has been heard from Myanmar since morning. We are in fear now.”

Tarek Mahmud Roni, president of Hnila Adarsh Government Primary School, mentioned hearing horrible noises in the morning, comparing them to the sound of a bomb falling next to the house.

Delwar Hossain of Huaikong said: "There is a loud sound of gunfire on the other side of the border from Friday night till 11am on Saturday."

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Adnan Chowdhury said: “Due to the ongoing conflict inside Myanmar, the border is being constantly monitored. Due to the situation on the other side, the BGB, Coast Guard, and police have increased their patrolling, and the people living on the border have been asked to be careful.”

Meanwhile, Rohingya individuals are attempting to infiltrate from Myanmar. Four hundred Rohingyas were recently sent back by BGB-Coast Guard personnel during an attempted infiltration through the Naf River border.

Lieutenant Tahsin Rahman, the media officer of Coast Guard Chittagong East Zone, said, "We (Coast Guard) have strengthened the patrol in the Naf River due to the possibility of border infiltration through the Naf River in the ongoing war on the other side. No new entry will be allowed. We have already resisted more than 200 Rohingya infiltrators.”

Photo: Daily Bangladesh com