Fisherman suffers bullet injury near Teknaf border

A fisherman suffered a bullet injury while fishing in the Hwaikyang union area of Naf River near Teknaf border in Cox's Bazar yesterday evening (8 January).

Confirming the matter to The Business Standard today (9 January), Hwaikyang Union Parishad ward member Sirajul Mostafa Lalu said, "The injured fisherman, Md Alamgir, 30, is a resident of Balukhali village in the union. 

"He is currently receiving treatment at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital."

Speculating how Alamgir got the bullet wound, Sirajul said gunfire is frequently heard along the Myanmar's Rakhine border.

"Several rounds of gunshots and explosions were also heard today," he said.

Sarwar Alam, elder brother of Alamgir, told TBS that yesterday after Maghrib prayer, his brother and another fisherman, Md Akbar, went fishing in the Naf River near Bilaiyachhar Island in the Hwaikyang area.

"When they were casting nets into the river, several rounds of gunfire rang out from the Myanmar border and penetrated Alamgir's left hand, after which, he collapsed inside the boat," he added.

Sarwar further said, "After rescuing Alamgir, he was first taken to Ukhiya Kutupalong hospital, where he received first aid, and later transferred to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment."

Lieutenant Colonel Md Zahirul Islam, commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Ukhiya Battalion‑64, said patrols have been intensified in the border area immediately after the incident.

Earlier, on 27 December, multiple explosions and gunfire were heard in the border areas of Ukhiya and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar, and Naikhyangchhari in Bandarban, amid the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine State.