Staff Reporter:
At least 26 houses in Teknaf village developed cracks due to vibrations caused by heavy gunshots and mortar explosions across the border in Myanmar’s Rakhine State on Thursday.
The explosions continue to shake Bangladeshi areas along the Teknaf border as well as adjoining areas in Cox’s Bazar amid the escalating conflict between Myanmar security forces and the rebel group Arakan Army.
Though the intensity of the sounds was less compared to those in the previous days, they did lead to the reported cracks on some 26 houses in Achharbunia village.
Local sources reported that some residents were avoiding living in affected houses due to fear of house collapse.
Over the past four days, people living along the borders under the upazila have been left panic-stricken by the continuous sounds of bombardment.
The people of the villages including Naittonggpara, Kayukkhaliapara, Chowdhurypara, Jaliapara, Kulalpara, Shilbania Para, Khankar Deil, Dailpara, Nazirpara, Moulvipara of Teknaf Sadar, Mogpara, Panchhori Para, Acharbuniya, Lejirpara, Degillabeel, Jhinapara of Sabrang union and Jaliapara, Camppara, Bazarpara and Mistripara of Shahparirdwip have been passing sleepless nights due to the huge sound of the gunfire and shelling, said the local sources.
Contacted, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury told the Daily Sun that sounds of gunshots and shelling were continuing till Thursday morning.
The intensity was, however, less than the previous days, he said.
Asked about the developing cracks on houses, the UNO said they found cracks in some 26 houses of Achharbunia village.
The cracks in the building may have been caused by the shakes from the bombing in Myanmar, but an expert opinion is needed to confirm this, he said.
“We have informed the higher authority about the situation and will take steps following the directives,” the UNO stated.
Local sources said fighting escalated in Myanmar after around one week on Monday, creating panic among the people living along the Teknaf frontiers.
Starting on Monday morning, the gunshots and shelling were continued heavily till the evening.
It resumed around 1am on Tuesday and continued till Wednesday with intervals.
In addition to the sounds of the explosions, the people of border areas in Bangladesh spotted warplanes and helicopters hovering on the Myanmar side.
They believe that the Myanmar government forces were trying to recapture Mungdow town from the rebel AA through the airstrikes.
Though the situation was relatively calm for a few days, people started experiencing shakes of mortar explosions since 18 June, and it has been continuing with intervals.
The conflict, which intensified since 3 February, has seen mortar shells and bullets encroaching into Bangladesh territory, resulting in casualties and injuries.
In response to these challenges, the government has heightened the vigilance of BGB personnel to thwart potential infiltration attempts across the Myanmar borders during the conflict.
Additional BGB forces have been deployed in the border areas to closely monitor and manage the situation.
