Intense fighting inside Myanmar’s Maungdaw township triggered panic across the Bangladesh border in Teknaf on Wednesday night. Heavy explosions and the roar of fighter jets began around 9:00 PM, shaking homes in frontier villages and prompting terrified residents to flee outdoors.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials confirmed the unrest. Lt Col Md Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, commander of the BGB-2 Battalion, stated that fierce clashes between two armed groups were unfolding approximately 18 kilometers inside Myanmar, directly opposite Shah Porir Dwip.
"The sound of gunfire is clearly audible in Teknaf, and the intensity of the explosions has shaken houses. We are closely monitoring the border," he said.
Local residents reported seeing intermittent flashes of fire across the Naf River. While unverified local sources claim Myanmar’s air force dropped at least 27 bombs on Arakan Army positions by 10:20 PM, authorities have yet to confirm the exact nature of the strikes.
Acting Sabrang Union Chairman Abdul Mannan noted that Shah Porir Dwip bore the brunt of the shockwaves. In response to the growing anxiety, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Anik Chowdhury urged residents to remain cautious but advised against unnecessary panic, assuring them that the situation is under close observation.
This latest escalation mirrors similar cross-border unrest from last December, keeping Bangladeshi frontier communities on high alert.
