Mortar shells fired from Myanmar land in Bangladesh

Two mortar shells fired from Myanmar landed near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Bandarban's Naikhongchhari upazila on Sunday afternoon.

Locals said two mortar shells fired by the Myanmar army landed in Tumbru Uttarpara area around 2:30 pm.

However, no one received injuries as the two shells did not explode, they said.

Ghumdhum union parishad chairman Zahangir Aziz said the Myanmar army has been firing shells at Bangladesh indiscriminately for two weeks. Today two mortar shells landed beside Tumbru Uttarpara Jame Masjid but no one was injured.

Confirming the matter, Bandarban Police Superintendent Tarikul Islam said no casualty was reported in the incident. 

Local people have been requested to be careful, and the Border Guard Bangladesh personnel are on high alert, he added.

Local administration and residents told this correspondent that the Myanmar army and the insurgent group Arakan Army have been fighting in Rakhine state for more than two weeks.

Fierce fighting ensued between the two forces on Sunday morning and the Myanmar army's helicopter and warplane were seen patrolling along the border this afternoon. Then, two mortar shells landed in Bangladesh, they said.

Nayan Chakrabarty/SU