5 killed in gunfight between Rohingya groups in Cox's Bazar

Five suspected members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) were killed in a reported gunfight with Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) at the Balukhali Rohingya camp in Ukhiya of Cox's Bazar early Friday.

Four of the deceased were identified as Anwar Hossain, 24, and Mohammad Hamim, 16 - residents of Rohingya camp-8, and Nurul Amin, 24, of camp-13 and Md Nazimullah, 28, of camp-10. The identity of the rest could not be ascertained immediately, said Faruq Ahmed, assistant superintendent of police (Media) of APBn-8.

Three of them died on the spot and two others succumbed to their injuries at hospital, he added.

ASP Faruq said the members of Myanmar's separatist outfits Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) and Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) were engaged in a gunfight at the East Balukhali Rohingya Camp-8 at 5:30am over establishing supremacy.

On information, APBn members rushed to the scene and recovered three bullet-hit bodies and rescued two others with bullet wounds. A locally made one-shooter gun was also recovered from the spot.

The injured were taken to nearby IMO Hospital where they succumbed to their injuries around 11am, while undergoing treatment, said Ukhiya Police Station OC Sheikh Mohammad Ali.

"Three bodies have been brought to Ukhiya police station. The process was underway to bring the bodies of two others from the hospital to the police station," he said.

Following the incident, the overall security has been strengthened in the camp area, confirmed the OC.