Myanmar army helicopter "opens fire” at Tumbru border

A Myanmar army helicopter last night (September 23, 2022) reportedly opened fire in Bangladesh's skies near the border in Bandarban's Naikhangchhari.

The reported firing happened in the Bhajabonia area of the Tumbru border under Ghumdhum union around 10:15 pm, reports our Bandarban correspondent quoting locals.

Dil Mohammad Bhutto, a member of ward-2 of Ghumdhum Union Parishad, told this correspondent that the situation in the area was very calm for the last one week after the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police visited the border area. But, there has been panic among people after the sudden firing from a Myanmar helicopter last night.

Naikhangchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Salma Ferdous told The Daily Star, "I heard that a Myanmar helicopter crossed our border area again last night. Borger Guard Bangladesh and law enforcement agencies are on regular patrol and alert along our border. I urge people not to panic."

Lt Col Md Mehedi Hasan Kabir, commanding officer of BGB 34 Battalion in Cox's Bazar, said "Till yesterday, we did not get information about any Myanmar helicopter entering the Bangladesh territory. The helicopter was inside Myanmar, but came close to our border."

"The number of battalions and troops has been increased for the overall security of the border. We are on high alert so that the Rohingyas cannot infiltrate again like in 2017, he said.

"Our patrolling along the border has been intensified," he added.

Earlier on September 10, gunshots and heavy shelling were heard inside Myanmar across the Tumbru border, according to locals.