The eastern and southern parts of Teknaf upazila, adjacent to the Myanmar border, were shook twice by intense sounds emanating from across the border this morning.
Locals residing in Saint Martin’s and Shahparir Dwip reported intermittent gunfire sounds from inside Myanmar between 1am and 7am this morning.
However, the intensity of the sounds escalated this morning, waking up residents of the islands to incessant gunfire.
They also spotted helicopters flying over the sky of Maungdaw, Myanmar, in the morning, followed by two intense sounds that shook the border area.
Amir Hossain from Shahparir Dwip said he heard the sound of gunfire throughout the night.
Noor Mohammad from Saint Martin’s said, "The island is 20 km away from Myanmar. The sound of gunfire came from afar. There were two intense episodes this morning, but no new gunfire was heard after 8am."
Sabrang Union Parishad Member Abdus Salam said local people are in a state of panic due to the intermittent gunfire sounds.
He indicated that Rakhine state lies to the east and south of the Naf river. The areas from which the gunshots are originating include Megichong, Kadirbil, Nurullahpara, Mangala, and Phadongcha, around Maungdaw town in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
In these areas, there are several outposts (camps) of the Border Guard Police (BGP), Myanmar's border guarding force, he added.
The captain of Teknaf 2 BGB, Lt. Col. Mohi Uddin Ahmed, said due to internal problems in Myanmar, BGB members on the border have heard intermittent gunfire between the two groups throughout the night.
BGB patrols have been strengthened at the border, he added.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury said due to the conflict situation in Myanmar, patrols by BGB and Coast Guard had to be increased.
He said the people living on the border have been asked to remain alert.
