Bangladeshi youth’s leg blown off in mine explosion in Naf River

Local correspondent:

A young man named Md. Hanif (28) lost his left leg in a landmine explosion planted by Myanmar’s rebel group Arakan Army in the Naf River in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.

The accident occurred on Monday, January 12, at around 10 am in the Naf River adjacent to Lambabil in Hoaykyong Union of Teknaf Upazila.

The injured Hanif is the son of Fazal Karim, a resident of Hoiyang Longabil area.

Locals said that Hanif was working on a fish project in the Naf River. At that time, he stepped on a mine buried in the ground on the bank of the river and there was a loud explosion. His left leg was severed on the spot. Later, locals rescued him and took him to the MSF hospital in Kutupalong, Ukhia.

This information was confirmed by Sub-Inspector Khokon Kanti Rudra, in-charge of Hoi Kyung Police Station.

He said, “We have received reports that a young man’s left leg was severed while working on a fish project in the Naf River. Information has been collected from locals. The matter is being investigated.”

Meanwhile, locals expressed concern that more mines may be buried in the Naf River and surrounding areas. This poses a risk of a major accident at any time. They demanded that security measures be urgently strengthened in these border areas and the public be warned.

It is worth noting that on Sunday morning, January 11, two Bangladeshis, including a child, were injured in gunfire from Myanmar in the Teknaf border area of ​​Cox’s Bazar. Among them, the child, who was shot, is in critical condition.

There have been incidents before of mortar shells fired from Myanmar falling inside Bangladesh in border areas including Naiksyangchhari and Ghumdhum.