Cox's Bazar, Oct 21 (V7N) – Residents along the Ukhiya-Teknaf border in Cox's Bazar are once again gripped by fear as heavy gunfire and explosions were heard throughout Sunday night, stemming from renewed clashes between the Arakan Army and Myanmar’s military forces in Maungdaw, Rakhine State.

After a month of relative quiet, the violence resumed, with the sounds of intense gunfire echoing late into the night. Gafur Uddin Chowdhury, Chairman of Ukhiya’s Palongkhali Union Parishad, said: "Residents were alarmed by the loud explosions near the border. Areas like Rahmat Beel, Anjuman Para, Balukhali, Norbonia, and Damongkhali were most affected. Some locals even reported seeing warplanes."

Fighting between Myanmar’s military and rebel forces continues to escalate. The constant sound of gunfire and mortar explosions across the border has unsettled the nearby Bangladeshi communities, with some locals witnessing warplanes overhead.

Noor Khan, a resident of Rahmat Beel, described the situation: "We heard heavy shelling during the early hours, which sparked widespread panic." Another local, Abdullah from Acharbonia Para, added: "The fighting has intensified, with mortar shells, artillery, and airstrikes by warplanes. Many of our homes have developed cracks due to previous blasts."

In response, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury confirmed the disturbance, stating: "We are closely monitoring the situation and checking on the safety of residents near the border."

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