Five government primary schools have been declared closed due to ongoing fighting in Myanmar along the Ghumdhum-Tumbru border of Naikkhangchhari upazila in Bandarban district.
The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued a circular to this effect on Monday (5 February).
"Due to the ongoing unrest in the Bangladesh-Myanmar border area, and in consideration of the safety of teachers and students, five government primary schools on the border of Ghumdhum Union of Naikhongchhari in Bandarban Hill District will remain temporarily closed until further notice," read the circular.
The closed educational institutions are: Baishpari Government Primary School, Tumbru Government Primary School, Passimkul Tumbru Ghumdhum Government Primary School, Dakshin Ghumdhum Government Primary School, and Bhajabaniya Government Primary School.
The ministry will take necessary steps to reopen the schools, consulting with the district primary education officer and higher authorities of Bandarban hill district when the situation calms down, added the circular.
Two individuals, including a Bangladeshi national, were killed this afternoon following the detonation of heavy mortar shells, reportedly fired from Myanmar, within Bangladesh on the Ghumdum border in Bandarban
Earlier, one person was injured in Tumbru due to firing from Myanmar. Additionally, a house on the border of Baishphandi caught fire.
Officials have reported intense fighting, and there are concerns about the use of army helicopters strafing rebel fighters, heightening worries of substantial casualties.
According to international media accounts, multiple insurgent groups, some of which have formed alliances, are engaging the government army in various regions of Myanmar.
Amidst the conflict, at least 95 Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) personnel have entered Bangladesh till Monday (5 February) morning and took shelter as refugees.
Meanwhile, across the Ghumdhum border of Naikhongchhari Upazila, shelling began on Saturday night inside Myanmar and has continued since. Hundreds of families in Tumbru, Konarpara, Bhajabaniya, and Baishphandi areas of Ghumdhum Union are fleeing to seek safe shelter wherever possible.