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Published : 17 Jan 2026, 11:26 AM
Landmine explosions have become a grim reality along the Bangladesh-Rakhine border, leaving civilians wounded and heightening fears amid the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.
For the first time, however, a landmine blast inside Bangladesh severely injured a resident in Teknaf’s Whykong, causing widespread fear among local residents.
Residents allege that members of the insurgent group Arakan Army (AA) crossed the Naf River into Bangladesh and planted the explosives.
The Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) said they learnt of the allegation from locals and a search is under way.
On Jan 12, Md Hanif, 28, a resident of Lambabil, was seriously injured in a landmine explosion near the embankment along the Naf River. One of his legs was severed, and he was admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Locals said heavy fighting broke out from the early hours of Jan 11 on Totar Dwip in Myanmar, opposite Whykong, involving the AA and another Rohingya armed group, with gunfire, explosions, and drone strikes.
To save their lives, many members of the Rohingya armed group entered Bangladesh by crossing the Naf River. Locals claim that AA members pursued them into the country, advancing as far as the embankment.
Dildar Mia, who was with Hanif during the explosion, said they went toward the river on the morning of Jan 12, thinking the situation had returned to normal after the overnight gunfire. He was accompanied by Hanif and Salim Sheikh from the Unchiprang area to check their fishing boats and nets.
Dildar said they were moving toward the river about one kilometre inside the embankment in Lambabil, an area used for shrimp farming during the monsoon. Suddenly, a loud explosion occurred, and Hanif was thrown to the ground.
“Later, we noticed several other landmines planted nearby. The small mines were buried slightly underground and covered with grass and debris.”
He added that they managed to rescue Hanif and return safely despite the extreme fear.
“Now, no one can even think of going to that area. Thousands of people in the border region depend on the Naf River for fishing and collecting crabs. Everyone is living in fear,” Dildar said.
Anwar Hossain, brother of the injured Hanif, alleged that AA members chased the Rohingya group to the embankment and opened fire, hitting a nine-year-old child, Huzaifa Afnan.
“We believe they planted hundreds of landmines inside Bangladesh before leaving. One of them severed my brother's leg,” Anwar said.
Opposite the Whykong border, the Totar Dwip area is a stronghold for the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), also known as the “Nabi Hossain Group”.
Locals said clashes between the group and the AA had continued there for several days, forcing many fighters to flee into Bangladesh after heavy attacks on Jan 11.
Col Mohiuddin Ahmed, commander of the BGB Ramu Sector, said 53 people were detained for crossing the border illegally during the incident.
Whykong Union Parishad acting chairman Shah Jalal said a meeting with higher authorities was held on Thursday to address the situation.
Assurances were given to send a bomb disposal team to the border area, he added.
On Friday evening, Shah Jalal said “a bomb-like object” was found in Lambabil, removed by police.
In the past, landmines planted by Myanmar’s junta forces along the border injured and killed many Bangladeshis. After prolonged fighting, the Arakan Army took full control of the 271-km Bangladesh-Myanmar border by December 2024, pushing out junta forces.
Since then, there have been allegations of landmines planted along the zero line.
Locals said this was the first reported case of landmines being planted inside Bangladesh.
Attempts to contact Col Mohiuddin for comment later went unanswered.
The media cell of BGB’s Ukhiya-based 64 Battalion, however, said on Friday evening: “We have also heard about the landmine planting from locals. An inquiry is under way. Residents have been asked to remain cautious.”
According to BGB data, at least 65 Bangladeshis have been injured in landmine explosions since clashes between Myanmar’s government forces and the AA began in early 2024. Two Rohingya were killed in 2024, while five more people were injured in similar incidents in 2023.
