Teknaf, Oct 31 (V7N) – Loud explosions from across the Myanmar border shook several areas of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar early Friday, triggering panic among residents who rushed out of their homes after being awakened by the blasts.
Three consecutive explosions were heard at around 1:30am on October 30 amid ongoing clashes between Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army in Rakhine State.
Residents said the sounds shook houses in border areas of Hnila, Whykong and Teknaf municipality. The force of the blasts reportedly caused doors and windows to rattle, prompting many people to leave their homes and gather outside.
Local residents believe the Myanmar military may have carried out airstrikes targeting Arakan Army positions in the Nakpura and Bolibazar areas of Maungdaw district in Rakhine State. However, the exact locations, nature of the explosions and extent of any damage could not be independently verified.
Local journalist Humayun Rashid said three powerful explosion-like sounds were heard in succession around 1:30am, waking residents and sending many into nearby streets and alleys.
Ramzan Uddin Patal, a resident of Whykong Union, said the loud blasts had abruptly awakened him and left people living near the border frightened.
Local resident Nurul Amin also described the sounds as terrifying, saying the explosions shook nearby homes.
Another resident, Arafat Khan, said the blasts from across the border had caused extreme fear among local people.
Shamsul Alam, a resident of Naithyangpara near the Naf River in Teknaf, said the sound had been so powerful that he initially thought an explosion had occurred close to his home.
“The sound woke us up around 1:30am. It felt as if the explosion had happened right beside our house. The windows shook, and we are worried about the safety of our entire family,” he said.
Several sources along the border claimed that Myanmar military aircraft had been carrying out strikes against positions held by armed groups in conflict-affected areas. The explosions and vibrations felt in Bangladesh may have been linked to those operations, they said.
The latest incident has renewed anxiety among people living along the border. Sources said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guard had strengthened surveillance and patrols to prevent any untoward incident along the frontier.
Repeated attempts were made to contact Lieutenant Colonel Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, commander of Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB), for comment, but he did not answer his phone. Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Anik Chowdhury also could not be reached for comment.
Much of Myanmar’s Rakhine State has come under the control of the Arakan Army. The military junta has repeatedly carried out airstrikes in attempts to regain control of areas held by the armed group.
The fighting across the border has periodically been heard and felt in Bangladeshi border communities, particularly in Hnila and Whykong in Teknaf.
END/MSI/SMA/
