Stray bullet from Myanmar clashes kills Bangladeshi child at Teknaf border

A Bangladeshi child was killed and several others were injured reportedly after stray bullets fired during clashes inside Myanmar spilled into Bangladesh in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.

The incident occurred around 9am today (11 January) in the Techchhibridge border area of Whykong Union under Teknaf upazila, said Sub-Inspector Khokon Chandra Rudra, in-charge of the Whykong Police Outpost.

The deceased was identified as Afnan, 7, daughter of Jasim Uddin of the same area. The names and identities of the injured could not be confirmed immediately.

Quoting locals, SI Khokon Chandra Rudra said intense fighting broke out this morning inside Myanmar, just across the border, between the rebel group Arakan Army and an armed Rohingya group, whose identity was not immediately known. The two sides reportedly exchanged gunfire for at least an hour.

“At one point, members of the Rohingya armed group retreated towards the zero line and took positions there. Around 9am, clashes intensified again. During this time, bullets fired from the Myanmar side hit a Bangladeshi residential house near the border, killing a Bangladeshi child,” he said.

Upon receiving information, members of the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Armed Police Battalion (APBN) rushed to the area.

Law enforcers could not immediately reach the spot due to a large gathering of local residents, the police official added.

The body of the deceased child is still at her home, SI Khokon Chandra Rudra said.