Landmine explosions leave 3 injured at Naikhongchhari border
All three men had illegally entered Myanmar to bring back cattle when they accidentally triggered landmines planted by the Arakan Army and Myanmar military
Highlights:
- Incidents occurred near pillars 47, 48, and 49 in Fultali and Ashartali border areas
- First explosion was at around 6am, second around 10am, and third around 10:30am
- All three men had illegally entered Myanmar to bring back cattle
- All explosions occurred several hundred yards inside the Myanmar territory
Three people were injured in separate landmine explosions near the Naikhongchhari Upazila's border with Myanmar in Bandarban this morning (24 January).
The incidents occurred near pillars 47, 48, and 49 in the Fultali and Ashartali border areas, according to Naikhongchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Muhammad Mazharul Islam Chowdhury and Naikhongchhari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Masrurul Haque.
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The three injured have been identified as Ali Hossain, 36, son of Md Hossain from Ashartali area of Naikhongchhari Sadar Union; Arif Ullah, 32, son of Jafar Alam from Lamutali area; and Rashedul Islam Rasel, 25, son of Mujibur Rahman from Lembuchhari area of Duwchari Union.
UNO Mazharul told The Business Standard that the three individuals were rescued and sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment after the explosions happened at different times in the morning.
Shamsul Alam, a former member of Sadar Union's Ward 9, said that all three men had illegally entered Myanmar to bring back cattle when they accidentally triggered landmines planted by the Arakan Army and Myanmar military and got severely injured.
He said the first explosion occurred at 6am injuring Ali, the second left Arif injured at 10am, and Rasel was injured in the third at 10:30am. Locals rescued them and rushed them to the hospital.
Naikhongchhari police Masrurul, citing local sources, confirmed Shamsul's remarks.
According to locals, Ali's left leg was severed and right leg was burned in the first mine explosion. Arif sustained injuries on his face in the second explosion. Information regarding Rasel's injuries was not available.
All explosions occurred several hundred yards inside the Myanmar territory of the border, according to Prothom Alo.
Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Nurul Absar told Prothom Alo that many people regularly travel to Myanmar through various border points such as Asharatali, Fultali, Amtali, and Lemuchhari. Smugglers also use these routes.
The commanding officer of Border Guard Bangladesh's (BGB) Naikhongchhari-based Battalion 11 was unavailable for comments.
