Myanmar reportedly breaches Bangladesh airspace

• 4 Myanmar fighter aircraft allegedly cross into BD’s air space 

• At least 2 mortar shells were fired from the crafts

• Security tightened along border

• Myanmar envoy to be summoned again

At least four Myanmar fighter aircraft reportedly crossed into Bangladesh’s air space over Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban Saturday morning.

Making the claim, Bandarban Superintendent of Police (SP) Tariqul Islam, said that the incident occurred around 9:20am in the district’s Ghumdhum area on Saturday. 

“Eight to 10 rounds were fired from one of the aircraft. Whereas another aircraft shot 30-35 times. Two shells fired from one of the Myanmar military aircraft landed some 120m inside Bangladesh near border pillar No 40,” the SP added in a statement issued to the media.

Despite repeated attempts, Lieutenant Colonel Md Mehdi Hossain Kabir, commanding officer of BGB 34 Battalion in Cox’s Bazar, could not be reached for a comment.

Earlier on 28 August, two heavy mortar shells reportedly fired from Myanmar landed on the Bangladesh border in Tumbru of Bandarban causing severe panic among locals. 

According to locals of the Ghumdhum border area, the mortar shells landed next to a local mosque on the border in Tumbru of Naikhongchari, Bandarban around 2:30pm.

They said, there is an ongoing brawl between the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed organisation based in Rakhine State, and the Myanmar Army across the border for over two weeks. 

Apparently, there was a fierce fight between the two sides since morning. At noon, helicopters and warplanes of the Myanmar Army were seen circling the border. Later, mortar shells fell on the border of Bangladesh.

Ghumdhum Union Chairman Jahangir Aziz said that he was out of town during the incident. Locals informed him that two mortar shells were fired from Myanmar around 2:30pm, which landed next to a mosque in Tumbru. 

“It is believed that the Myanmar Army fired the shells. Since the incident, there has been panic among the locals. The BGB is commencing heavy patrols in the area,” the chairman noted.

A day after, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe and lodged a strong protest against Myanmar’s mortar shells inside Bangladesh territory a day earlier. 

“We have lodged a strong protest with Myanmar so that such incidents do not happen again.

“We have also strongly condemned the incident,” Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  He said a note verbale was handed over to the ambassador.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said Myanmar ambassador to Bangladesh will be summoned today (September 4) over Saturday’s incident of landing Myanmar's mortar shells inside Bangladesh territory.

Security tightened along border

Law enforcement agencies have further strengthened security measures along Bangladesh-Myanmar border at Naikhongchhari point as locals reported firing from helicopters from the Myanmar side on Saturday, says an official.

For last few days tension has been growing along the Myanmar border with Bangladesh which has also spread among locals at Naikhongchhari and Ghumdhum border areas, said Md Tariqul Islam, Superintendent of Bandarban police.

“Today locals have reported spotting firingfrom a Myanmar helicopter near the border and two mortar shells dropped from it” he said.

The law enforcement agencies including Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) remains alert and intelligence surveillance has also been increased near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, said SP Tariqul Islam.

On Thursday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh is better prepared so that none can enter from Myanmar now due to the deteriorated situation in Rakhine state.

The Myanmar side was warned twice in August following mortar shells landing in Bangladesh territory from Myanmar and strong protest was lodged in this regard.

“We do not want to step into Myanmar's provocation or trap,” he said, adding that they (Myanmar side) might have a strategic benefit if they can move in such a unilateral direction.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Monday summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe and lodged a strong protest against Myanmar’s mortar shells landing inside Bangladesh territory a day earlier.