Two Bangladeshi teenagers were wounded by gunfire believed to have crossed the border from Myanmar in Teknaf’s Whykong Union on Tuesday morning, amid reports of heavy clashes inside Myanmar.
The incident occurred around 11:30am at a keora orchard in the Jhimongkhali area of the union.
The injured are Mohammad Sohel, 13, and Md Obaidullah, 15, residents of Kanzor Para in Ward No 5 of the union, local officials said.
Local residents and family members said the boys were collecting firewood at the orchard when gunfire erupted inside Myanmar, reportedly between armed rebel groups and Rohingya armed factions.
Stray bullets allegedly crossed the border and hit the two teenagers, they said.
People in the area rushed to rescue them and took them to Ukhiya Upazila Health Complex, where they were admitted for treatment.
A relative of Sohel said both victims suffered gunshot wounds to the chest, while one was also hit in the leg, adding that their condition deteriorated later and they were referred to Chattogram for advanced treatment.
Border residents said fear has spread among communities living close to the frontier following the incident.
Commander of Border Guard Bangladesh Battalion 64 Lieutenant Colonel Md Zahirul Islam said sounds of gunfire were heard from inside Myanmar in the morning.
He said preliminary information suggests the two teenagers were injured after going close to the border area, adding that the matter is being investigated and patrols along the frontier have been strengthened.
Cox’s Bazar district police media focal and Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Biswas confirmed that two teenagers were injured by gunfire near the border.
He said they are now out of immediate danger and that law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring the situation.
Earlier on January 11, a Bangladeshi child named Huzaifa Afnan was wounded by gunfire from Myanmar in the same border area.
The following day, a fisherman named Abu Hanif lost a leg in a landmine explosion near the border, incidents that have heightened anxiety among residents of the frontier region.
