Bangladesh
Shelling The people of Teknaf border wake up to the sound of bullets and mortar shells
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, 10 February 2024: The sound of bullets and mortar shells woke up the people of Hoikong border in Teknaf Upazila of Cox's Bazar. Since midnight Friday, across the border in Myanmar's Rakhine, shelling has continued throughout the night. As a result, there was panic among the people living in Longbil and Unchiprang of Waikong Union.
Locals said that the sound of gunshots has been heard intermittently for several days. The Arakan Army is clashing with the Myanmar government forces to protect their existence in the ongoing violence in Rakhine, Myanmar. In Teknaf, Hoikang Uttarpara, Lombabil, Unchiprang, Kanjarpara, Hnila Moulvipara, Wabrang, Phule Dale, Chowdhurypara, Jaliapara areas of Teknaf heard the sound of intermittent bullets and mortar shells across the border. Fighting is going on in the villages of Kumirhali, Naichdong, Kwangchigong, Shilkhali, Nafpura in Myanmar across the border of Hoaikung and Hnila.
Dildar, a resident of Unchiprang area, said that after 12 o'clock on Saturday, there was heavy gunfire and mortar shelling on the Unchiprang border. Even inside Myanmar, they seem to be falling into our homes. Harun, a resident of Lomabil area, said that the sounds of gunshots and mortar shell explosions have been heard intermittently since the night. Continuous mortar shell explosions from dawn till 7 am. It wakes up the residents on our border. We are very scared.
Noor Mohammad Anwari, chairman of Huaiksong Union Parishad, said that the sound of heavy weapons has been heard for several days. Residents near the border have been asked to exercise caution. Most of the fishermen panicked.
Meanwhile, members of the BGB and Coast Guard have increased patrolling in the 54 km Naf River from Hoikang to Shahpari Island in Teknaf Upazila. To find out about this matter, Teknaf battalion commander Commander Lt. Col. Mohiuddin Ahmed called several times on his mobile phone, but it was not possible to take a statement as he did not receive the call.
