Teknaf, Aug 24 (V7N) – Heavy gunfire erupted Friday night across the border in Rakhine State, Myanmar, raising fresh concerns among residents of Bangladesh’s Teknaf border region. The exchange of fire, which reportedly lasted for about an hour between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM, occurred near the Hoikyang area of Teknaf. The identities of the groups involved in the firefight remain unconfirmed.
 
The incident was verified by Sirajul Mostafa Lalu, elected member of Ward 2 of Hoikyang Union Parishad, who said locals clearly heard intermittent gunshots coming from the Myanmar side of the border.
 
Local fisherman Nurul Alam, a resident of the border village, recounted, "Loud gunshots echoed throughout the area from the Rakhine side. It lasted for nearly an hour. We're once again living in fear due to renewed hostilities near the border."
 
Although official confirmation is lacking, locals and officials speculate that the skirmish may have occurred between Myanmar's military and one or more armed rebel groups operating in Rakhine, possibly including the Arakan Army.
 
Sirajul Mostafa Lalu added that it was not yet clear whether the Myanmar junta forces were directly involved, but noted that such incidents have become more frequent since the Arakan Army captured large swathes of territory in Rakhine.
 
Last year, a major escalation between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army resulted in the rebel group seizing control of several towns, villages, and military outposts, including areas in Maungdaw near the Bangladesh border. Currently, the Arakan Army is believed to maintain control over nearly 270 kilometers of border territory adjacent to Bangladesh.
 
The renewed sound of conflict has stirred fears in Teknaf, a region already vulnerable due to its proximity to ongoing tensions in Rakhine. While no damage has been reported on the Bangladeshi side, authorities remain alert, and local residents are calling for increased border security and government attention to ensure their safety.
 
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