Bangladeshi fisherman injured by bullet fired by Myanmar Navy in Bay of Bengal

A Bangladeshi fisherman was injured after being shot by the Myanmar Navy while fishing near Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal yesterday (27 November).  

The incident occurred in the afternoon in the southeast of Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal when a fishing trawler reportedly entered Myanmar's waters.  

The injured fisherman, Mohammad Ershad, 40, resides in the Golachipa area of Saint Martin's Island, although his ancestral home is in Khagrachari district.  

Confirming the incident, Saint Martin Union Parishad Member Md Syed Alam said, "On Wednesday morning, six fishermen, including Ershad, ventured into the sea on a trawler owned by Ali Johar, a local resident. At one point, the trawler crossed Myanmar's waters southeast of Saint Martin's Island."  

"Members of the Myanmar Navy chased the fishermen and opened fire, injuring one fisherman. The other fishermen on the trawler remained unharmed," he added.  

Nezam Uddin, a fisherman who returned unharmed, recounted the incident, saying, "While fishing in the sea near Saint Martin's, a Myanmar Navy vessel fired at us. One of our crewmates was hit in the right arm, causing severe bleeding. After returning to Saint Martin's, he received treatment at a local clinic."  

Major Mohammad Ishtiaq Murshed, acting commander of Teknaf 2 Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), said, "While fishing, the Bangladeshi trawler accidentally entered Myanmar's territorial waters. The Myanmar Navy fired at the trawler, injuring one fisherman."  

The BGB is investigating the incident further to gather additional details, he added.