Several massive explosions in Myanmar's Rakhine State caused buildings across a wide area on this side of the border to shake. The blasts sparked panic among the residents near the border.
On Thursday (Nov 28) at around 8:30 pm, residents of Teknaf, Ukhiya, and Naikhongchari border areas heard three to five loud explosions.
People in the border areas stated that they have never heard such sounds in the ongoing conflict in Myanmar over the past year.
Following the explosions, many residents, panicked, left their homes and took to the streets. After 8:30 PM, several people from the border areas expressed their fear on social media.
Jabed Iqbal, a resident of Teknaf Sadar, reported hearing the sound of loud explosions from Ghumdhum in Naikhongchari to Teknaf Sadar. Azizul Haque, a resident of Ghumdhum, stated that the explosions seemed to have originated from the Balibazar area in Myanmar. The incident caused widespread panic among the locals. It is believed that Myanmar's military forces fired shells at an Arakan Army camp.
Nur Hossain, the chairman of Subrang Union Parishad in Teknaf, said that the explosion sounds on Thursday night were much more terrifying than ever before.
"Such sounds have never been heard before," he added.
Gofur Uddin Chowdhury, the chairman of Palongkhali Union Parishad, mentioned hearing the sound of mortar shells, stating, "At night, we heard intermittent heavy mortar shelling from Myanmar across the border. These sounds of artillery have now become a regular occurrence."
"Such loud sounds of artillery have never been heard before, causing widespread panic among the people. Fireballs were also seen along the border, and fighter jets were spotted," he added.
In this regard, Arif Ullah Nizami, Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Acting UNO of Teknaf Upazila, stated that the loud sound of the mortar shells from Myanmar even caused his residence to shake.
He added, "We are keeping track of the residents along the border, and BGB and Coast Guard members stationed at the border remain on high alert."
Meanwhile, Major Md Ishtiaq Murshed, the acting commander of BGB Teknaf-2 Battalion, mentioned that in light of the internal conflict in Myanmar, BGB and Coast Guard personnel are maintaining strict vigilance at the border to ensure no Rohingya citizens cross into Bangladesh.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
