At Tetulia’s Hoiakya Union in the Lombabil area of Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf road, villagers are living in fear as cross-border shelling and mine explosions disrupt daily life. Many homes have been locked, while some families have sent their members to relatives’ houses for safety. The ongoing violence has left the local population in a state of constant anxiety.
On Sunday morning, nine-year-old Huzayfa Afnan was injured when bullets from across the Myanmar border struck his home. He is currently receiving treatment in Dhaka. The following day, Monday, fish farmer Mohammad Hanif lost a leg due to a landmine explosion in the same area and is now under treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital. In addition, 52 Rohingya individuals were sent to jail yesterday by court order for illegal border crossing during the clashes.
The situation across the border in Myanmar’s Rakhine state remains volatile, with ongoing air strikes, drone attacks, mortar shelling, and bomb explosions. Since Thursday, government forces have intensified aerial bombardments on Arakan Army positions near Mungdu Township. Meanwhile, three armed Rohingya groups have engaged in ground-level clashes with the Arakan Army, worsening the security situation. Explosions across the border have caused tremors in Teknaf villages, with bullets hitting homes, shrimp farms, and the Naf River.
In Hoiakya Union’s Lombabil Techi Bridge area, around 200 families live within three kilometres of the border. Residents report that although the distance is short, insurgent groups fire into nearby villages, creating widespread fear. At least 30 homes have been locked, leaving residents either in relatives’ houses or sheltering inside.
| Affected Person | Incident | Current Location |
|---|---|---|
| Huzayfa Afnan (9) | Bullet injury | Dhaka, under treatment |
| Mohammad Hanif | Landmine injury, lost leg | Chittagong Medical College |
| Abul Kalam | Family sent to relatives | Relative’s house |
| Other 30 families | Homes locked | Sheltering, in fear |
The six-day-long border violence has prevented fish farmers and daily wage labourers from tending to shrimp and crab farms. Farmer Robiul Islam, who invested BDT 1.2 million in shrimp farming, said he cannot access the farms and fears total loss. Daily labourer Rahim Mia, who earns BDT 600–800, also remains unable to work.
Following Huzayfa’s injury, his father, Jasim Uddin, was seen grieving with his daughter’s school books. A small prayer ceremony was held in the house for her recovery. Families of landmine victims also demand proper investigation and justice.
Local authorities have called for enhanced border security and an immediate halt to cross-border fire. Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan stated that discussions are underway with the Myanmar government to ensure the safety of border communities.