Bullet from Myanmar Kills Child After 27 Days

Tragically, nine-year-old Huzayfa Sultana succumbed to injuries sustained from gunfire originating across the Myanmar border, 27 days after the incident. She passed away at 9:00 am on Saturday while receiving treatment at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka.

The news was confirmed to Prothom Alo by Mohammad Shahjalal, acting chairman of Teknaf’s Whykong Union Parishad (UP), and by Huzayfa’s uncle, Shawkat Ali. The young girl, daughter of Jasim Uddin from Techhi Bridge village in Whykong Union, was wounded on 11 January during cross-border firing from Myanmar.

Speaking to reporters, UP chairman Mohammad Shahjalal said, “Her uncle, Shawkat Ali, is currently in Cox’s Bazar. He will travel by plane to Dhaka to receive Huzayfa’s body and then return to Cox’s Bazar. The entire community is in shock following this tragic loss.”

According to multiple sources along the border, the incident occurred amid clashes in Rakhine State between the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups, including the Arakan Salvation Army (ASA), Arakan Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), and the Nabi Hossain Force. On the same day, Myanmar’s military also conducted air and bomb attacks on Arakan Army positions. Huzayfa was struck by gunfire that crossed the border into Bangladesh in the early hours of 11 January.

Local residents immediately rescued the injured child and rushed her to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex for initial treatment. She was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Professor Harun-or-Rashid, head of Anaesthesia and ICU at Chittagong Medical College, explained that the bullet had penetrated Huzayfa’s brain, leaving her in critical condition. Although surgeons performed operations, the bullet could not be removed due to the extreme risks. Various treatments were applied to reduce intracranial pressure and stabilise her condition, but tragically, she could not recover.

Summary of Incident

The incident has left the local community mourning and raised renewed concerns over border security and the humanitarian impact of ongoing cross-border violence.