Over Fifty Landmine Plates Recovered at Border

Bangladesh’s armed forces, in a joint operation with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), have recovered more than fifty landmine pressure plates from the Myanmar border area in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The operation took place on Tuesday morning (20 January) in the Ulubunia area of the Hwaikhyang Union.

Lieutenant Colonel Md. Zahirul Islam, commanding officer of BGB’s 64th Battalion stationed at Ukhiya, confirmed the recovery. “From early morning until midday, our teams meticulously searched the border area and recovered approximately 50 to 60 landmine pressure plates,” he stated. “All recovered items have been transported to the Hwaikhyang BGB outpost for further examination by specialists.”

According to a reliable BGB source, a typical landmine comprises four main components. The recovered elements were the pressure plates or fuzes, which are normally placed on or just below the surface of the soil. When sufficient weight or pressure is applied, the mine becomes activated, making these components highly sensitive and potentially lethal.

The authorities emphasised that the operation significantly strengthened border security. Additional patrols and surveillance have been deployed in the sensitive areas along the border to prevent potential threats and ensure the safety of nearby communities.

Lieutenant Colonel Zahirul Islam further explained, “While initial inspections indicate that the recovered pressure plates did not contain explosives, these items are extremely delicate. Each plate will be subjected to thorough testing and assessment by trained specialists to ensure complete safety.”

The operation highlights ongoing efforts by the Bangladesh Armed Forces and the BGB to maintain border security and prevent the illicit placement of mines, which could endanger civilians and personnel operating in the area. Local residents have been advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects immediately to the authorities.

A summary of the recovery operation is provided in the table below:

The authorities have reiterated that the border area remains under strict control. Such operations are part of ongoing efforts to ensure the security of border communities and prevent the smuggling of explosive devices across the frontier.