Panic in Teknaf as Myanmar’s mortar shelling heard

Clashes are ongoing between Myanmar's government forces and the Arakan Army rebel group, causing the sounds of bombs and mortar shells to reverberate across the Teknaf border in Cox's Bazar. Residents along the border have endured a sleepless night due to the deafening noise, which has instilled panic among them.

Local residents said that from Saturday (November 2) morning until early Sunday, heavy sounds of bombs and mortar shells dropped from helicopters have been audible across the border. The explosions in Myanmar's Rakhine state have reached residents in Teknaf, Hnila, Sabrang, Shahpari Island, and Saint Martin's Island. It is believed that the clashes are occurring in the areas of Mongdu and its surrounding borders in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Selim Ullah, a resident of Shahpari Island, said they had to spend the entire night without sleep. The deafening sounds of bombs and mortar shells dropped from helicopters along the Rakhine border made their homes shake like an earthquake.

Syed Alam, another resident of the Teknaf border, stated that a helicopter was spotted flying over Myanmar's territory a couple of times on Saturday morning and afternoon, after which the bombing began.

Nur Hossain, chairman of the Sabrang Union Parishad, said that residents on this side are suffering in various ways due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Even if the fighting stops for a day or two, it often resumes, causing fear among fishermen in the border area, as well as in the sea and the Naf River. As a result, they remain alert and awake at night. The sounds of heavy explosions have continued throughout Saturday and into early Sunday.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Adnan Chowdhury confirmed that loud sounds of explosions from the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine state are frequently heard on this side. Locals have reported that the explosions were particularly loud last night and have been advised to move cautiously along the border.