Explosions heard again inside Myanmar, panic along Bangladesh border

Fresh sounds of mortar shell explosions and gunfire from inside Myanmar have sparked panic along the Bangladesh border at Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar district. 

Residents of Hwaikyang border area reported hearing continuous explosions and gunshots for several hours early Saturday, with stray bullets reportedly crossing into Bangladeshi territory.

According to local sources, the sounds were heard from around dawn for nearly four hours along the Hwaikyang border. 

During the incident, bullets pierced the tin roofs of several houses on the Bangladesh side, although no casualties were reported.

Hwaikyang ward no. 2 Union Parishad member Sirajul Mostafa said a mortar shell landed in the Naf River, near the northern bank, sending up a plume of smoke that was visible from nearby areas.

He said that from early morning until around noon, repeated mortar explosions and heavy gunfire from across the Myanmar border caused houses in the frontier villages to shake, creating widespread fear among residents. 

Bullets fired from inside Myanmar landed at the homes of Mohammad Hossain and Abdul Quddus near Hwaikyang Bazar, as well as at the house of Sarwar Alam in Balukhali village. 

Another mortar shell reportedly fell into the Naf River adjacent to the North Para area.

Hwaikyang Police Outpost in-Charge Sub-Inspector Khokon Kanti Rudra, confirmed that gunfire was heard from the Myanmar side from early morning until later in the day. 

“We have received information that bullets hit several houses. The matter has been reported to the concerned higher authorities,” he said.

SU/SH