Due to the aftermath of clashes between the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups inside Myanmar across the Baishfari border in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban, the sound of intense gunfire has once again drifted across, leaving locals spending the night in fear.
Meanwhile, although information was received about several casualties on both sides in the incident, no one concerned has confirmed the matter.
The clash occurred inside Myanmar adjacent to Border Pillar No 36 in the Baishfari area of Ghumdhum Union, Naikhongchhari upazila, after 7:30pm on Monday.
Mohammad Alam, a Union Parishad (UP) member of Ward No 3 of Ghumdhum, confirmed this information at night.
Citing locals, he informed that in the evening, the sound of intense gunfire suddenly started drifting from inside Myanmar across the Baishfari border in his ward. The sound of at least 200 rounds of gunfire lasting for about half an hour was heard. This has created fear among the locals. When the sound of gunfire drifted across, some took safe positions inside their homes. Many are spending the night awake with worry and anxiety.
Referring to the recent incidents of ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army, which controls the Myanmar border area, and the Rohingya armed groups, this local UP member stated, “There have been multiple clashes between the Arakan Army and various Rohingya armed organisations, including ARSA, RSO, ARA, and Islamic Mahaz, to establish control over the border areas of Rakhine State. The conflict across the border is still ongoing.”
Locals suspect that this incident of gunfire might have occurred between the RSO, active inside Myanmar across the border, and the Arakan Army, said UP member Mohammad Alam, adding, “There is local speculation about several casualties on both sides in the gunfire incident. However, I could not confirm the veracity of this news.”
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel SM Khairul Alam, Commander of BGB Cox’s Bazar 34 Battalion, stated that he is aware that the sound of gunfire was heard from an incident occurring about 300 to 400 meters inside the Myanmar border.
He said, upon hearing the news of the gunfire sounds at night, he inquired about the border situation. This might have happened due to the aftermath of clashes between the armed groups inside Myanmar.
Assuring border residents not to panic in the tense situation, Lt. Col. Khairul Alam said that the BGB is maintaining vigilant surveillance on the border with caution. The situation on this side is normal.
Locals reported that since pushing back the Myanmar government forces in the war, the rebel group Arakan Army now controls the entire border area inside Myanmar. However, recently, several Rohingya armed organisations, including ARSA and RSO, have entered into a fight with the Arakan Army to establish dominance alongside control over the border area. There have already been multiple conflict incidents between these rival armed groups in Myanmar.
Prior to this, the most recent incident of gunfire inside Myanmar occurred across the border areas of Ukhiya upazila, as well as the Ghumdhum border in Naikhongchhari upazila, Bandarban, late at night on 10 October.
