Security tightened along border after firing from Myanmar side: Police
Law enforcement agencies have further strengthened security along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border at the Naikhongchhari point as locals reported firing from helicopters from the Myanmar side on Saturday, UNB reports quoting a police official.
Around 9:20am, two helicopters and two aircraft appeared between pillars No 40 and 41 under Reju Amtali Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) BOP at Ghumdhum union of the upazila, said Md Jahangir Aziz, chairman of Ghumdhum Union Parishad.
"Two mortar shells fell 120 metres inside the Bangladesh border," he added.
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For the last few days tension has been growing along the Myanmar border with Bangladesh which has also spread among locals at Naikhongchhari and Ghumdhum border areas, said Md Tariqul Islam, superintendent of police in Bandarban.
"Today locals have reported spotting firing from a Myanmar helicopter near the border and two mortar shells dropped from it," he added.
The law enforcement agencies including BGB remain alert and intelligence surveillance has also been increased near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, said SP Tariqul Islam.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said that no Myanmar citizen will be allowed to enter Bangladesh amid the deteriorated situation in the Rakhine state, The Business Standard correspondent reports.
"Different arms groups are fighting inside Myanmar. We are informed that they (Myanmar citizens) are not coming towards Bangladesh," he told journalists on Saturday.
"The BGB has been directed to remain on the highest alert so that not a single Myanmar citizen can enter Bangladesh," the foreign minister added.
Earlier on 28 August, the foreign ministry summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe and lodged a strong protest against Myanmar's mortar shells landing inside Bangladesh territory a day earlier.
In 2017, Bangladesh experienced a huge exodus from Myanmar after the Myanmar army crackdown on the Rohingya community, living in the Rakhine state which is near the Bangladesh border.
