Huzayfa Afnan, who was seriously injured by gunfire from Myanmar at the Bangladesh–Myanmar border in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar, has died.
The child succumbed to her injuries at 9:50am on Saturday while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka. Her mother, Sabekun Nahar, confirmed the death.
Her uncle, Shawkat Ali told Times of Bangladesh, “We tried everything, but we could not save her. A bullet fired from across the border has taken the life of our innocent child. This grief cannot be expressed in words.”
He demanded justice and called on the government to take effective measures to prevent such tragedies inside Bangladesh.
Local officials said the family is preparing to take the body home after completing administrative procedures.
The incident occurred on 11 January when fighting between Myanmar’s Arakan Army and Rohingya groups inside Myanmar spilled over into Bangladesh territory.
Bullets damaged homes, rice fields, and shrimp enclosures in Teknaf’s Hwaikyang area. One bullet struck Afnan, daughter of Jasim Uddin of the Techi Bridge area, in the head.
She was initially treated at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, later transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, and then to Dhaka for advanced care, where she died after weeks of treatment.
Meanwhile, on 11 January, a landmine explosion inside Bangladesh territory at the border left 22-year-old fisherman Abu Hanif severely injured, with one leg amputated.
These repeated incidents have sparked deep concern and fear among residents along the Teknaf border.
