Two teenage fishermen were injured by gunfire while fishing in the Naf River along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border in Teknaf on Tuesday (January 27), raising fresh concerns over border security in the area.

The incident took place near Whykong Union, where shots were allegedly fired from the Myanmar side of the river. The injured were identified as Md Sohel, 16, and Md Obaidullah, 17, both residents of Whykong. They are currently undergoing treatment at an MSF-run hospital in Ukhiya, according to bdnews.24.

Local fisherman Iman Hossain said several boats were fishing in the Naf River when between 10 and 15 rounds were suddenly fired from across the border, hitting the two teenagers. Other fishermen later rescued the injured youths and rushed them to hospital.

Sub-Inspector Khokon Kanti Rudra, chief of the local police outpost, confirmed that police had received information about the shooting and said the matter was under investigation. The injured fishermen alleged that members of the Arakan Army opened fire from the Myanmar side of the border.

The shooting comes amid a series of recent security incidents in the Teknaf border region. On January 12, an 11-year-old girl was injured by gunfire near the Techchibridge border area in Whykong Union. A day later, a landmine explosion inside Bangladeshi territory in the same area severed the leg of a 26-year-old man, Abu Hanif.

Authorities say they are monitoring the situation closely as tensions and cross-border security risks continue to affect residents living along the Naf River.

BOB Post