A Bangladesh Army bomb disposal team has deactivated landmines and heavy ammunition at the Ghumdhum border in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban. The team from Ramu Cantonment identified and destroyed at least eight landmines and explosive materials during a two-day operation.
The operation was conducted continuously over two days on 13 and 14 October, in the Tumbru, Baishfari, and Pearabunia border areas of Ghumdhum Union. During the operation, 1 landmine, 3 grenade launcher shells, and 4 mortar shells were identified and safely deactivated.
The operation was led by Ordnance Major Abdullah Al Mahmud from Ramu Cantonment. He was assisted by Engineer Corps Major Farzana and other members.
Cox’s Bazar 34 BGB Commander Lieutenant Colonel M Khairul Alam confirmed the matter, stating: “The Myanmar rebel group Arakan Army plants landmines in the border areas to incapacitate their opponents, some of which are placed close to the Bangladesh border.”
He further said, “Armed rebels have also planted some mines near the patrol areas of the BGB inside Bangladesh. This is increasing the risk for BGB members patrolling the border. To secure the border, members of the BGB and the Army have identified and destroyed landmines and explosive materials.”
On 12 October, BGB Naik Md Akhtar Hossain was seriously injured in a landmine explosion while patrolling near border pillar 41. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.
According to information provided by locals, there are small camps of the Arakan Army in the areas adjacent to the border of Myanmar’s Arakan (Rakhine) state. They occasionally cross the border and plant mines near the BGB patrol areas inside Bangladesh.
At the request of the BGB, a 37-member bomb disposal team from Ramu Cantonment was deployed and completed the operation after ensuring security.
The BGB has stated that a proposal has been made to establish new Border Outposts (BOPs) in that risky border area to further strengthen border security and prevent such accidents in the future.
According to statistics provided by the BGB, from 2023 to October 2025, 18 people have been injured in various landmine explosions in the Myanmar border area. Among them, 3 were injured in 2023, 3 in 2024, and 12 have been injured this year so far.
Additionally, on Tuesday morning, a Myanmar citizen was killed and a Bangladeshi was injured at the Poyamuhuri border. Prior to this, in 2024, a Rohingya was killed in a landmine explosion while collecting crabs in the Naf River in Teknaf.
