A nine-year-old girl, Huzayfa Sultana, succumbed to injuries sustained from gunfire originating across the Myanmar border, passing away on Saturday morning at 9:00 AM. The child had been under treatment for 27 days at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka following the incident.
The tragic news was confirmed by Mohammad Shahjalal, Acting Chairman of Teknaf’s Whykhong Union Parishad (UP), and the child’s uncle, Shawkat Ali. Huzayfa, daughter of Jasim Uddin, a resident of Techhi Bridge village in Whykhong Union, had been critically wounded on 11 January when gunfire erupted from across the Myanmar border.
UP Chairman Shahjalal stated, “Her uncle Shawkat Ali is currently in Cox’s Bazar. He will fly to Dhaka to receive Huzayfa’s body and subsequently return to Cox’s Bazar. The community is deeply mourning her loss.”
According to multiple border sources, the shooting occurred amid clashes between the Arakan Army (AA), Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Arakan Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), and the Nabi Hossain faction on the opposite side of the Whykhong border. Simultaneously, the Myanmar military launched air and bomb attacks on Arakan Army positions, which resulted in Huzayfa being struck.
Local residents rushed the girl to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex, where she received initial treatment. She was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Chittagong Medical College Hospital due to the severity of her injuries.
Professor Harun Or Rashid, Head of Anesthesia and ICU at Chittagong Medical College, explained: “The bullet had penetrated the child’s brain, placing her in an extremely critical condition. Despite surgical intervention, it was impossible to remove the bullet. Various procedures were employed to reduce intracranial pressure, but ultimately, her life could not be saved.”
This heart-rending incident has cast a shadow of grief over the local community and renewed concerns about the safety of children living near the conflict-prone border.
Incident Summary
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Name of Injured | Huzayfa Sultana |
| Age | 9 years |
| Village/Union | Techhi Bridge, Whykhong Union, Teknaf |
| Date Injured | 11 January 2026 |
| Date of Death | 9 February 2026 |
| Treatment Facilities | Teknaf Upazila Health Complex; Chittagong Medical College ICU; National Institute of Neurosciences, Dhaka |
| Cause of Injury | Gunfire from across Myanmar border |
| Parties Involved in Shooting | Arakan Army, ARSA, RSO, Nabi Hossain faction, Myanmar military |
The incident has sparked widespread concern over ongoing cross-border violence, highlighting the vulnerability of children in the region and the urgent need for strengthened safety measures along the border.