Gunfire from across Myanmar border injures two teens in Teknaf

Police say they were injured by suspected cross-border gunfire while fishing in the Naf River

Two teenage fishermen have been injured by gunfire while fishing in the Naf River along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border in Teknaf.

The incident occurred on Tuesday near Whykong Union, according to Sub-Inspector (SI) Khokon Kanti Rudra, chief of the local police outpost.

The injured youths alleged that the shots were fired from the Myanmar side of the border by members of the Arakan Army.

They were identified as 16-year-old Md Sohel and 17-year-old Md Obaidullah, both residents of Whykong. They are currently receiving treatment at an MSF-run hospital in Ukhiya.

Iman Hossain, a local fisherman, said that while several fishermen were fishing from boats in the Naf River, between 10 and 15 rounds were fired towards them from across the border, injuring the two teenagers. He said local fishermen later rescued the injured youths and took them to hospital.

SI Rudra said police had received information about the incident and that it was being investigated.

The incident follows a series of recent security-related events along the border.

On Jan 12, an 11-year-old girl was injured by gunfire near the Techchibridge border area in Whykong Union, and the following day a landmine explosion inside Bangladesh near the same area severed the leg of 26-year-old Abu Hanif.