Bangladesh summons Myanmar envoy over border shooting of 9-year-old in Teknaf

Huzaifa Afnan is currently on life support in the intensive care unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital

The Bangladesh government has summoned Myanmar’s ambassador to Dhaka over the shooting of a child near the Teknaf border during the ongoing internal conflict in the neighbouring country.

The foreign ministry called in Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe on Tuesday afternoon and expressed deep concern over the incident, according to a press release issued by the ministry.

Nine-year-old Huzaifa Afnan was injured in the shooting on Sunday morning while she was on her way to buy breakfast with her grandfather in Lambabil village of Whykong Union in Teknaf Upazila, near the border.

She is the daughter of Jashim Uddin, a local resident.

Huzaifa’s uncle Shawkat Ali brought her to Chattogram from Teknaf later in the afternoon for treatment.

Doctors at Chittagong Medical College Hospital conducted an operation that night but were unable to remove the bullet from her head.

Her condition did not improve on Tuesday, prompting the authorities to decide to transfer her to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Huzaifa is currently on life support in the intensive care unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

A portion of her skull has been removed to reduce pressure on her brain, said Dr Harunur Rashid, head of the hospital’s ICU department.

“Huzaifa’s physical condition remains as critical as before,” Rashid said.

“A medical board meeting was held today, where her overall condition was reviewed.”