A Rohingya youth was critically injured in a suspected landmine explosion near the Anjuman Para border area in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday afternoon.

The incident occurred around 12:45pm, confirmed Lieutenant Colonel Zahirul Islam, commander of the Ukhiya-64 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) battalion.

The injured, Mohammad Shahidul, 25, is the son of Chan Mia and a resident of Block F-5 of Rohingya Camp No. 16 in Ukhiya. He sustained severe injuries when a powerful blast went off near the zero line of the Naf River.

According to The Business Standard, Shahidul had reportedly left the refugee camp without permission and went fishing in the Naf River area close to the border before the explosion occurred.

Quoting local sources, Lt Col Zahirul Islam said Shahidul and several others were fishing when the sudden blast took place, leaving him critically wounded. The explosion severed his right ankle and caused serious injuries to multiple parts of his body, he added.

Locals rescued the injured youth and initially took him to a hospital in Ukhiya. He was later referred to Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment.

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