A Rohingya youth sustained bullet injuries as heavy gunfire erupted from across the Myanmar border late Thursday night, spreading panic among residents of Ukhiya’s border areas in Cox’s Bazar.

The injured, Md. Yaser, 18, son of Md. Hasur, resides in G-5 Block of Camp 12 in Thaingkhali, Ukhiya. He was hit by a stray bullet below the stomach when gunfire broke out near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, locals said.

According to Gafur Uddin Chowdhury, chairman of Palongkhali Union, the shooting began around 11:00 pm on Thursday and continued sporadically until early Friday morning. Gunfire was heard from across the border near Palongkhali, Thaingkhali, Rahmater Bil, and Balukhali, causing widespread panic among residents who remained awake through the night in fear.

Ali Hossain, a resident of Thaingkhali Rohingya Camp, confirmed the incident, saying, “We suddenly heard continuous firing from the other side of the border, and then a bullet struck Yaser.”

Lt Col Mohammad Josim Uddin, commander of the Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB), said the Border Guard Bangladesh is on high alert and “closely monitoring the situation.”

Over the past 18 months, clashes between Myanmar’s junta forces and the Arakan Army have intensified, with the rebel group seizing control of most towns in Rakhine State and approximately 271 kilometers of the Myanmar-Bangladesh border. Despite the gains, heavy fighting continues in several areas, posing risks for communities along the frontier.

BOB Post