Gunfire from Myanmar Injures Two Bangladeshi Teenagers

Two Bangladeshi teenagers were injured on Tuesday morning when gunfire reportedly originating from across the Myanmar border struck near Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred around 11:15 a.m. near Jhimongkhali, adjacent to the Naf River in the Hwaikhyang Union of Teknaf Upazila.

The victims have been identified as Md. Sohel, 16, and Md. Obaidullah, 17, both residents of Hwaikhyang. They were immediately admitted to the MSF Hospital in Ukhiya for treatment following the attack.

According to law enforcement officials and local residents, the two teenagers had been fishing on a small boat in the Naf River when armed assailants from Myanmar opened fire, discharging an estimated 10 to 12 rounds. Nearby villagers promptly rescued the injured boys and transported them to the hospital. The authorities have attributed the attack to members of the Arakan Army, an armed group operating in Myanmar.

Shah Jalal, the acting chairman of Hwaikhyang Union Parishad, confirmed to Prothom Alo at around 3 p.m. that the teenagers were shot while fishing in the Naf River and that the Arakan Army was believed to be responsible. He stated that both victims were receiving medical care and their conditions were being monitored.

This is not an isolated incident. On 11 January, another Teknaf child, nine-year-old Huzayfa Afnan, was injured by gunfire originating from Myanmar and is currently undergoing treatment in Dhaka. A day later, on 12 January, a local fisherman named Mohammad Hanif lost a leg when a mine exploded in Lomba Bil, Teknaf. He is now receiving care at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

The recurrence of cross-border violence has raised concerns among local authorities and residents about the safety of children and fishermen in the border areas. The incidents underscore the ongoing tensions and hazards along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border, particularly near the Naf River, which serves as both a livelihood source and a risky zone for local communities.

Local authorities continue to urge vigilance along the border areas, particularly for children and fishermen, who are most vulnerable to the sudden outbreak of violence.