Cox’s Bazar Correspondent: Two people were killed by a mortar shell fired from Myanmar at the Tumbru border in Naikshyongchari, Bandarban. A Bangladeshi woman and another Rohingya youth were among the dead.
The incident took place on Monday (February 5) at around 2 p.m. in the Jalpaitli area on the Tumbru border of the upazila.
The name of the deceased Bangladeshi is Asma Khatun (55). She is the wife of King Mia of the Jalpaitli area on the Tumbru border. However, the name of the Rohingya youth who died was not found.
Dil Mohammad Bhutto, member of Ward No. 2 of the Ghumdhum Union, confirmed the matter. He said that a mortal shell from Myanmar landed in the Jalpaitli area of Ward No. 4 of the Union. A woman and a Rohingya youth were killed at this time.
Since Saturday, the situation in the border area has been calm. People are leaving the area safely, he said.
After heavy shelling last Saturday and last Sunday, heavy shelling has started today on Ukhiya’s Palangkhali and Teknafe Hoikung Ulubnia borders. Locals said that BGB arrested a Rohingya family from the Ulubnia border while infiltrating into Bangladesh when heavy firing started in the area around 10:30 this morning.
According to the information given by the locals, the bullets are being fired from the helicopter along with the ammunition on the ground. It is believed that the government forces are attacking to recover the territory captured by the rebels. Locals have left their homes in fear of intense shelling across the border.
When a Rohingya family crossed the Ulubania border from Myanmar and entered Bangladesh at around 11:00 am, the BGB members on duty detained them. Apart from their husband and wife, they also have three children with them.
Jalal Ahmed of the Hoikyong Ulubnia area said that around 10:30 am, we could hear heavy gunfire and bomb blasts across Myanmar. People are moving away from the border out of fear. Many people are not leaving their homes.
Ashraful Islam of the Ghumdhum area said that the people of three villages were evacuated from the area yesterday due to heavy shelling. The shelling has been going on again since this morning.
Teknaf 2 BG captain, Lt. Colonel Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed, said we are on alert at the border.
Meanwhile, 37 members of the Border Guard Police (BGP) have taken refuge on the Bangladesh border amid clashes between the Myanmar army and the armed rebel group Arakan Army in Rakhine State, bordering Myanmar. Today, the public relations officer of the BGB headquarters, Shariful Islam, told the media that the number of BGP members who have taken refuge in Bangladesh has reached 95.
Stating that BGB Nasaka members have been disarmed and kept in a safe haven, he said that action is being taken in this regard. Earlier, this BGB official said that 58 BGP members took shelter at the border on Sunday.
