A Bangladeshi youth was critically injured after stepping on a landmine along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, triggering fresh panic among residents.
The explosion severed his left leg up to the ankle. Locals alleged that the mine had been planted in the border area by the Arakan Army, an armed rebel group active in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
The injured youth has been identified as Muhammad Hanif, son of Fazlur Rahman, from the Lombabil area of Ward No. 3 in Hwaikyang Union under Teknaf upazila.
The incident occurred at around 11:00am on Monday (January 12). According to local sources, Hanif was working in a fish project area near Shahjahan Island along the Naf River when the landmine exploded.
The blast threw him into the river, where local fishermen later rescued him. As a result of the explosion, his left leg was completely severed.
Local student leader Saiful Islam Shakil said that on Sunday (January 11), bullets fired during clashes inside Myanmar crossed into Bangladeshi territory, injuring several people, including a child.
Due to security concerns, no one entered the project area that day. “When the situation appeared relatively calm on Monday, and work resumed, this tragic incident took place,” he added.
Confirming the incident, Hwaikyang Police Camp in-charge Khokon Kanti Rudra stated that a young man lost his left leg while working on a fish project on the Naf River. “We are looking into the matter,” he said.
Earlier on Sunday morning, a bullet fired from across the border hit a house in the Techchhibridge area of Hwaikyang Union.
A child, Hujaifa Afnan, daughter of Mohammad Jasim, was shot in the head. Rumours of the child’s death sparked unrest in the area, prompting locals to block the Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf highway.
Later, it was confirmed that the child was still alive and had been admitted to the ICU of Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Her uncle, Mohammad Shawkat, said her condition remains critical.
Meanwhile, clashes between the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups reportedly left at least three people injured, including members of ARSA and the Nabi Hossain group.
Following the incidents, members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and other law enforcement agencies rushed to the area and brought the situation under control.
Ramu Sector Commander of BGB, Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed, said that 53 Myanmar nationals are currently in custody.
He added that BGB remains on high alert to ensure the safety of border residents and the frontier area.
It is worth noting that in December 2024, the Arakan Army claimed to have taken control of nearly 271 kilometres of the Bangladesh-adjacent border in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Since then, tension and security risks along the Teknaf border have increased significantly.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
