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.

Cox’s Bazar | Bay Insight

A Bangladeshi child who sustained a bullet injury amid heavy fighting across the Myanmar border is being transferred to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka for specialised care.

Chattogram Medical College Hospital Director Brigadier General Taslim Uddin said on Tuesday that surgeons were unable to extract the bullet after hours of complicated surgery, as it is lodged in a highly sensitive area of the brain. He said attempting to remove it could put the child’s life at serious risk, leading doctors to refer the patient to the Dhaka-based neuroscience hospital. “They can manage the case better,” he said.

The child was hit during cross-border clashes between the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups that began around 11:00pm on Saturday and continued until about 10:00am on Sunday in the Totar Dwip area on the Myanmar side, opposite Whykong union in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. Continuous gunfire and explosions were reported during the fighting. At one point, a bullet fired from across the border struck the child. Huzaifa is a resident of the Teschi Bridge area of Whykong.

Cox’s Bazar | Bay Insight

To ensure conservation and sustainable management, a proposal has been prepared to divide St. Martin’s Island, the only coral island of Bangladesh, into four distinct zones. The zoning framework has been outlined in a draft master plan prepared by the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) under the Ministry of Water Resources.

The draft master plan was presented on Tuesday (6 January) at a workshop on the St. Martin’s Master Plan held at a hotel in the capital Dhaka. At the workshop, CEGIS Senior Expert H. M. Nurul Islam highlighted various aspects of the proposed plan.

According to the draft master plan, St. Martin’s Island is proposed to be divided into four zones: General Use Area, Controlled Resource Area, Sustainable Use Area, and Restricted Access Area.

General Use Area: Tourism and Settlement under Conditions

In the General Use Area (Zone 1), residential living, tourism activities, infrastructure development, and limited economic activities will be allowed. However, these activities must be conducted in line with environmentally friendly and sustainable development guidelines.

Activities harmful to the environment such as coral collection, pollution, night fishing using artificial lights, and high-speed vehicle movement are proposed to be prohibited in this zone.

Controlled Resource Area: Protective Buffer for Sensitive Zones

The Controlled Resource Area (Zone 2) has been identified as a buffer zone surrounding environmentally sensitive areas. Limited eco-friendly tourism and economic activities may be permitted here.

However, the draft plan proposes to ban illegal resort construction, deforestation, use of harmful agricultural chemicals, and collection of turtle eggs. Restrictions are also proposed on using lights or lighting fires on boats at night.

Sustainable Use Area: Nature Conservation Zone

In the Sustainable Use Area (Zone 3), human intervention is recommended to be kept to a minimum. No new settlements, infrastructure development, or environmentally altering activities will be allowed.

Mangrove forests, lagoons, and turtle nesting sites will fall under this zone and receive special protection. Public access will be limited, and high-speed vehicle movement will be prohibited.

Restricted Access Area: Strictest Conservation Measures

The strictest regulations are proposed for the Restricted Access Area (Zone 4). Following the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standards for a “Strict Nature Reserve,” this zone is planned to be developed as a fully protected area.

Public access will be almost entirely prohibited. Activities such as settlement, resource extraction, fishing within 1,000 meters, causing pollution, or disturbing wildlife are proposed to be strictly banned.

Bay Insight | Cox’s Bazar

The cool weather currently affecting Cox’s Bazar is likely to persist for about another week, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said. However, despite the drop in temperature, the conditions do not qualify as a cold wave, the department clarified.

According to meteorological records, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Cox’s Bazar was 10.3 degrees Celsius on January 11, 2013. Even then, a cold wave was not declared in the district.

Data preserved since 1948 show that this coastal district has never met the criteria for a cold wave, the Cox’s Bazar office of the Meteorological Department said.

Meteorologists explained that a cold wave is declared only when temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius. In Cox’s Bazar, temperatures have never dropped below that threshold.

Abdul Hannan, assistant meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office, said the district’s geographical location and proximity to the sea help keep temperatures relatively stable. “Because of the coastal influence, even when winter intensifies, it does not turn into a cold wave,” he said.

On Tuesday, the district recorded a minimum temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest so far this year, according to the Meteorological Department. Winds were blowing at speeds of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour, adding to the more sensitivity of cold.

Doctors have warned that cold-related illnesses may increase during this period.

Sabuktogin Mahmud Shohel, resident medical officer at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, said people should avoid taking antibiotics on their own. “If anyone develops cold-related symptoms, they should not take antibiotics from local pharmacies without prescription. They must consult a registered physician,” he said.

He also advised extra caution for children during winter, saying they should not be taken outside in the morning, evening, or at night unless necessary, and should be kept warm with adequate clothing. Patients with asthma were also urged to take additional precautions during the cold season.