Heavy fighting near the Bangladesh Myanmar border left border communities in fear after bullets crossed into Bangladesh territory and injured civilians. The incident occurred on Sunday morning in the Whykong area of Teknaf, while intense clashes were reported across the border in northern Maungdaw Township of Arakan State.
A 10 year old Bangladeshi girl was shot while standing in the courtyard of her home at around 9:00 am in the Techi Bridge border area of Whykong Union. The injured child, Afran, daughter of local resident Jasim Uddin, was hit by a bullet that passed through her ear, leaving her critically injured.
Following the incident, residents blocked a nearby road for nearly three hours to protest the lack of safety in the border area. The situation later returned to normal. Initial reports claiming the child had died were incorrect. According to local sources, she was being transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Fighting intensifies across the border
At the same time, heavy fighting was reported in northern Maungdaw Township of Arakan State, very close to the Bangladesh border. Local residents said clashes between armed groups and the Arakan Army intensified from early morning.
During the fighting, multiple bullets reportedly crossed the border into Bangladesh. In the Whykong area, fear spread rapidly among families living close to the frontier.
One resident said the sound of gunfire was clearly audible. “We woke up to nonstop shooting. People were crying and running to safer places. We did not know where to hide,” he said.
Several residents reported that bullets landed near homes, fields, and roads inside Bangladesh territory. Parents kept their children indoors, fearing further violence.
Another local resident said, “Bullets were falling inside our area. We were too scared to step outside. Children were not allowed to leave the house.”
Daily life disrupted
The clashes reportedly occurred near several border pillars in northern Maungdaw and continued for hours. Residents said they heard both heavy and small weapons being used. Air strikes, drone attacks, mortar fire, and bomb explosions continue unabated in Myanmar’s Arakan State.
From Saturday evening until around 9:30 am on Sunday, intermittent but intense gunfire and mortar explosions were reported in the Bolibazar area of Arakan State, opposite the Whykong border in Teknaf.
A third resident said daily life in the area had come to a standstill. “For safety reasons, the road was closed. Shops are shut, and most people are staying indoors,” he said.
Rohingya detained while fleeing violence
According to Border Guard Bangladesh, a total of 53 Rohingya were detained after crossing into Bangladesh while fleeing ongoing clashes in Arakan State. BGB sources said the detained individuals include 29 alleged members of ARA, 18 alleged members of RIM, and three suspected members of ARSA.
As of the latest updates, the situation remains tense. Civilians on both sides of the border continue to live in fear, hoping the fighting will end and stability will return to the region.
