Bangladeshi Schoolgirl Shot Dead By Gunfire From Myanmar Border

A ten-year-old Bangladeshi schoolgirl, Afnan, has been injured by gunfire that crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar at the Hwaikong border in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. Afnan is the daughter of Jasim Uddin and a fourth-grade student at Lumbabil Haji Mohammad Hossain Government Primary School.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, 11 January, according to Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Zahirul Islam, commander of the 64th Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who confirmed the details to the media.

Following the attack, local residents expressed outrage and blocked the Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf road in protest. Security forces, including the Bangladesh Army and additional law enforcement personnel, have been deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent further escalation.

Sources report that across the border in Rakhine State, Myanmar, heavy clashes have erupted between the Arakan Army, a local insurgent group, and the Rohingya armed faction ARSA. Over the past three days, intense gunfire and armed confrontations have caused widespread panic among border communities. The violence has occasionally spilled over into Bangladeshi territory, as in this case, putting civilians at risk.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid approaching the border, while humanitarian agencies monitor the situation due to fears of potential displacement or injuries among children living near the frontier.

The following table summarises key details of the incident:

The cross-border gunfire has intensified concerns among local communities about their safety, especially for children attending schools near the border. Authorities continue to coordinate with local leaders and border patrol units to prevent further incidents while monitoring developments in the Rakhine region.