Cox’s Bazar | Mokammel Shuvo
Panic has spread among residents of Whykong border areas in Teknaf Upazila of Cox’s Bazar after a landmine explosion along the Naf River left a young man with his leg blown off, amid allegations that Myanmar’s Arakan Army crossed into Bangladesh and planted mines inside Bangladeshi territory.
The explosion occurred on Monday in the Lambabil area of Whykong Union, Teknaf, near the embankment along the Naf River. The victim, Mohammad Hanif, 28, a resident of Lambabil, lost his leg in the blast.
He is now undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Local residents said the landmine had been planted by members of the Arakan Army after intense fighting with Rohingya armed groups on the Myanmar side of the border. According to them, heavy clashes broke out
early Sunday at Totar Dwip in Myanmar, opposite Whykong, involving gunfire, explosions and drone attacks.
They said many members of Rohingya armed groups fled across the Naf River into Bangladesh to save their lives, and were chased by the Arakan Army. During the pursuit, Arakan Army fighters allegedly crossed the Naf River and advanced up to the embankment inside Bangladesh, planting a large number of landmines in the process.
Diladar Mia, who was with Hanif at the time of the blast, said that on Monday morning, believing the situation had calmed, Hanif, Diladar and Selim Sheikh of Unchiprang went towards the Naf River to check their boat and fishing nets.
Diladar said they crossed the embankment at Lambabil and walked about one kilometre towards the river through land that is used as shrimp enclosures during the monsoon. As they neared the river, a sudden explosion threw Hanif to the ground.
“We immediately became alert and later noticed that several more landmines had been planted around us,” he said. “Small landmines were buried just under the soil and covered with grass or debris.”
Despite being terrified, they managed to rescue Hanif and return safely, he said. “Now we are too afraid to go back to that area. Thousands of people living along the border depend on the Naf River for fishing and crab catching. We are all living in fear.”
Hanif’s brother, Anwar Hossain, alleged that Arakan Army members chased Rohingya armed group fighters up to the embankment on Monday and opened fire from there, during which a Bangladeshi child, Huzaifa Afnan, 9, was shot.
“They planted at least 300 landmines inside Bangladeshi land while leaving. One of those blew off my brother’s leg,” Anwar said.
The Totar Dwip area across the Whykong border is known as a stronghold of the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), also known as Nabi Hossain’s group. Clashes between the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups have been
ongoing there for several days. On Sunday, many fighters reportedly fled into Bangladesh under heavy Arakan Army attacks.
Border Guard Bangladesh detained 53 people for illegal entry following the clashes, BGB Ramu Sector Commander Colonel Mahiuddin Ahmed said on Monday.
In the past, landmines were planted along the border by Myanmar’s junta forces, causing multiple Bangladeshi casualties. After seizing
control of the entire 271-kilometre Bangladesh-Myanmar border following prolonged fighting with the junta in December 2024, the Arakan Army is also alleged to have continued the practice, including planting mines along the zero line.
However, locals say this is the first time landmines have been planted after crossing the Naf River, which separates the two countries, deep inside Bangladeshi territory.
Attempts to contact Ramu Sector Commander Colonel Mahiuddin Ahmed for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer repeated phone calls or respond to text messages detailing the incident.
According to BGB data, at least 65 Bangladeshis have been injured by landmines since fighting broke out between Myanmar’s government troops and the Arakan Army early in 2024.
Two Rohingyas were killed by landmines in 2024, and five others were injured in 2023.