Two Rohingyas have been critically injured in a landmine explosion in the Nachdong area of Tota Island, located in the Naf River in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
The injured crossed into Bangladesh through the Hwaikyang border in Teknaf. After receiving primary treatment at the MSF hospital in Kutupalong, they were referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated.
Sources say amid the prevailing security situation in the border area, a group of the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) had been conducting regular patrols. Although there were concerns that landmines might have been deployed in the area earlier, the patrol reportedly continued due to the absence of any specific warning signs.
During a patrol on Monday evening around 7:30pm, a landmine exploded about four kilometres inside Myanmar from border pillar number 19, along the Bangladesh-Myanmar frontier. Two individuals were seriously injured in the blast.
The injured are Mostak Ahmed, 28, a resident of Rohingya Camp No 19 in Thaingkhali, Ukhiya, and Md Shafik, 24, a resident of Rohingya Camp No 20.
A Naf River fisherman, on condition of anonymity, said he saw the two injured individuals entered Bangladesh by boat through the Hwaikyang border with the help of several Rohingyas and local middlemen.
However, due to darkness, he could not confirm how many people were involved.
Hwaikyang Union Parishad Ward 2 Member Sirajul Mostafa Lalu, quoting local people, said several Rohingyas, including two injured individuals, entered Bangladesh through the Hwaikyang border on Monday evening.
He said it was suspected that they were injured in the ongoing conflict inside Myanmar.
Sources at the MSF hospital in Kutupalong said two Rohingyas, who were critically injured in a landmine explosion near the border, were admitted to the hospital around 12:30am on Tuesday.
As their condition worsened, they were referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment around 10:30am on Tuesday.
Attempts to contact Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)-64 Battalion Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Jasim Uddin regarding the entry of the injured Rohingyas and the latest border situation were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, concern is growing among local residents over the overall security situation in the border area amid the risk of landmines and ongoing clashes.
It should be noted in the early hours of Saturday, a fierce clash broke out between Myanmar’s rebel group Arakan Army (AA) and the Rohingya armed group Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) over control of Hasher Island, Bilachhara Island and Tota Island along the Teknaf border.
The clash, which began around 6am and lasted for nearly four hours, turned the entire area into a battlefield amid heavy gunfire and explosions.
During the fighting, several bullets fired from across the border landed inside Bangladesh, piercing tin roofs of houses in Hwaikyang Union. Bullets also landed in shrimp enclosures and agricultural land.
Although the Arakan Army (AA) has captured key cities, army and police camps, and around 271 kilometres of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border and outposts while fighting Myanmar’s junta government, the junta is attempting to retake control.
At the same time, several Rohingya armed groups remain active in the civil war in Rakhine. As a result, the impact of gunfire and explosions frequently spills over into Bangladesh, leaving people in Teknaf’s border areas living in constant fear.
