Bangladeshi fisherman shot in Naf River amid gunfire across Myanmar border

The Teknaf local administration has asked residents and fishermen to remain on alert

A fisherman has been shot in the Naf River in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf Upazila amid ongoing gunfire across the border in Myanmar, prompting the local administration to ask residents and fishermen to remain on alert.

The incident took place on Thursday night in the Whykong area on the Naf River.

The injured fisherman, Md Alamgir, is currently undergoing treatment at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Teknaf Upazila administrator (UNO) Md Imamul Hafiz Nadeem said: “Amid shooting in Myanmar overnight, a bullet hit a Bangladeshi fisherman in the Naf River.”

“Fishermen and the general public in the border area have been asked not to get involved in the conflict and to remain cautious.”

Sirajul Mustafa Lalu, a member of Ward No. 2 of Whykong Union, said gunfire could be heard intermittently from the Rakhine border area of Myanmar.

“The sound of gunfire can be heard occasionally. Even today, the sounds of several gunshots and explosions were heard,” he said.

According to the fisherman’s elder brother, Sarwar Alam, the incident occurred shortly after Maghrib prayers on Thursday when Alamgir and another fisherman, Md Akbar, went fishing near Bilaichchar Island in the Whykong section of the Naf River.

“They were fishing on a boat and casting nets in the river when suddenly a loud gunshot was heard,” Sarwar said.

“At one point, Alamgir collapsed inside the boat.”

He said the fishermen later discovered that a bullet had passed through Alamgir’s left hand, causing heavy bleeding.

“With the help of other fishermen, he was rescued and first taken to Kutupalong MSF Hospital in Ukhiya,” Sarwar added.

“From there, he was referred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment.”

Lt Col Md Zahirul Islam, commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Ukhiya 64 Battalion, said patrols in the border area had been intensified following the incident.

“We have learnt about the shooting of a fisherman in the Naf River. The situation is now normal,” he said.

However, the BGB commander noted that fishing in the Naf River remains banned, but some fishermen continue to enter the area despite the restrictions in place.

“Necessary steps will be taken to raise awareness among local fishermen,” he said.

On Dec 27, explosions and gunfire were heard multiple times in the border areas of Ukhiya and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, as well as Naikhongchhari in Bandarban amid the ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.