BGB detains 50 Rohingya armed group members in Teknaf after border clashes
TEKNAF CORRESPONDENT, COX’S BAZAR
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police have detained 50 armed Rohingya men in Teknaf after they allegedly crossed into Bangladesh while fleeing pursuit by Myanmar’s rebel group, the Arakan Army (AA), following clashes in Rakhine State.
BGB said the detainees are members of armed groups active in Arakan. Of the 50, BGB claimed three are from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), 18 from the Rohingya Islamic Mahaz, and 29 from the Arakan Rohingya Army. Two others detained at the time were crab fishers, BGB added.
Local residents said heavy exchanges of gunfire took place along the Myanmar border from Saturday night to Sunday morning. They also reported that drone strikes were carried out during the fighting.
Witnesses in Hoikyang said smoke was seen rising over the Naf River areas of Bilaichhari and Hasar Dwip amid the escalation.
During the incident, a nine-year-old girl, Hujaifa Sultana Afnan, was shot near her home in the Lambabil area of Hoikyang, locals and family members said. She is a Class III student at Haji Mohammad Hosan Government Primary School.
Her father, Jasim Uddin, said the girl was playing outside before school when firing began from across the border. “A bullet hit her near the ear,” he said.
The child was first taken to an MSF hospital and later shifted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where she remains under treatment, according to local sources.
BGB officials said some of the detained men had sustained gunshot wounds.
Cox’s Bazar Sector Commander Col Mohi Uddin Ahmed confirmed that 50 people had been taken into custody and said a press briefing would be held in the evening.
The incident also triggered protests in the area, with residents briefly blocking the Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf road. The blockade was later withdrawn after the army and former Ukhiya–Teknaf MP Shahjahan Chowdhury intervened, locals said.
Hoikyang police outpost in-charge Khokon Kanti Rudra said the detainees were being kept in custody and would be handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station.
A large number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed in the border area. While the situation is currently calm, residents said fear persists.
