Teknaf, Bangladesh — A fisherman suffered severe injuries when a landmine detonated near the Myanmar border on Monday morning. The explosion occurred around 11:15 a.m. in the Whykong area, which is part of Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar district.
Lieutenant Colonel Md. Zahirul Islam, commanding officer of the Border Guard Bangladesh’s 64 Battalion stationed in Ukhiya, confirmed the incident. He stated that details about the victim, including his identity, remain unclear at this time. In response to this dangerous situation, officials are planning awareness programs aimed at educating residents about the risks associated with border areas.
Tensions have escalated recently in the border regions of Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar, fueled by airstrikes conducted by Myanmar’s military and violent clashes among various armed groups in the area. Over the weekend, at least three people, including a 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl named Afnan and two Rohingya individuals, sustained injuries from gunfire that originated from the conflict in Myanmar.
On Monday, the Border Guard Bangladesh apprehended 53 Rohingya individuals who crossed into Bangladesh from various points in the Whykong area during the turmoil of ongoing cross-border clashes. These migrants were detained as security personnel worked to maintain order amid reports of airstrikes, gunfire, and the sound of mortar explosions in the region.
The plight of those living in border areas has become increasingly perilous as violence spills over from Myanmar, affecting both local populations and refugees. Authorities are grappling with the safety challenges posed by armed conflict and the humanitarian implications of increased migration driven by fear and instability in neighboring Myanmar.
Local officials are urged to remain vigilant and address both the immediate dangers and the broader context of ongoing conflict that fuels insecurity along the border.