Bandarban, Oct 5 (V7N) – Fresh tension has erupted along Bangladesh’s southeastern border with Myanmar following renewed clashes between three armed groups — the Arakan Army (AA), the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO). The violence has triggered widespread panic among residents living near the frontier.

According to local sources, intense gunfire broke out around 8 p.m. Saturday inside Myanmar territory, roughly 300 to 400 meters beyond border pillar No. 34 opposite Tumbru Chakmapara in Ghumdum Union of Naikhongchhari upazila, Bandarban district.

Local resident Monir Ahmed said, “We suddenly heard loud explosions at night. At first, it sounded like fireworks, but then we realized it was gunfire. The shooting continued intermittently throughout the night.”

Terrified by the sound of gunfire, villagers in border areas stayed inside their homes, while some fled with family members to safer places nearby.

Reports indicate that the latest wave of fighting began last Tuesday between the Arakan Army and ARSA in Myanmar’s Longpongpara area, gradually spreading to other frontier zones. Continuous gunfire on Wednesday caused alarm in several border villages of Alikadam upazila in Bandarban.

Sources in the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Ramu Battalion (30 BGB) confirmed that the clashes are mainly taking place between border pillars 55 and 56, within the area under the Buchitong border outpost. Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, commanding officer of the Ramu Battalion, said, “The fighting is occurring inside Myanmar, across the zero line of the Poamuhuri and Buchitong outposts. We are closely monitoring the situation, and our forces remain on high alert.”

Similarly, Lieutenant Colonel S.M. Khairul Alam, commanding officer of the Cox’s Bazar Battalion (34 BGB), stated, “We have confirmed reports of ongoing clashes between the Arakan Army, ARSA, and RSO inside Myanmar. The conflict has not crossed into Bangladesh territory, but our border security has been reinforced.”

Additional reports suggest similar exchanges of gunfire in the remote Kurikpata Union area across Alikadam upazila in Bandarban. Members of the local Mro community said such incidents have occurred at least four times over the past month, causing growing fear among indigenous residents.

Intelligence sources revealed that the stretch between international border pillars 34 and 57 has long been used as a corridor for cattle smuggling and narcotics trafficking. The fight for control over these routes is believed to be a key reason behind the escalating confrontations among the armed groups.

Currently, BGB has deployed additional sector and battalion forces along the Naikhongchhari, Alikadam, Thanchi, and Ruma borders, with enhanced patrols to prevent any spillover of violence into Bangladesh.

Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed of Ramu Battalion added, “Although this is an internal conflict within Myanmar, we are maintaining maximum vigilance along our frontier to ensure the safety of local residents and protect Bangladesh’s territorial integrity.”

END/SIU/SMA/