The country's security forces launched mortar shells and bombs from the air on Sunday (March 3) from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in Bolibazar area, north of Mangdu Township, Rakhine State, Myanmar.
In response, the armed group Arakan Army counter-attacked from the ground. The shelling-explosion caused earthquakes in some unions of Teknaf. At that time, many people left their homes and took shelter in safe places. However, from 12:00 noon to evening there was intermittent firing between the two sides, but no helicopters were seen flying in the sky.
Meanwhile, several hundred people of Teknaf's Hoikang Union are in trouble due to the tension on the border. They earn their livelihood by farming shrimps and crabs on the border of Naf river. Due to the conflict, they are not able to come down. Apart from this, due to the problem at the border, there has been a deadlock in Teknaf land port.
Across the Naf River is Rakhine State opposite the five unions of Teknaf and Ukhia, Hoikyong, Hanila, Teknaf Sadar, Sabrang and Palangkhali. Mangdu Township is located opposite Teknaf Pourashava in the middle of the north-south long state. To the west of Mangdu is the Naf River, with the towering Kaladan Hills behind (to the east).
For three days, shelling and mortar shelling have been happening in the villages of Kumarkhali, Bolibazar, Naichadong, Kwachidong, Shilkhali, Karyiprang, Perangpru in the northern part of Mangdu town. There, the Arakan Army clashed with the government forces over the capture and recovery of the border post.
According to several border sources, on Saturday night, the Arakan Army attacked several border posts of the country's Border Guard Police (BGP) in Bolibazar area and captured several posts. Government forces attacked from the air on Sunday afternoon to recover the post. From Mangd township, helicopters flying north to Bolibazar, dropping mortar shells and bombs and returning to Mangdu can be seen from here.
Driver Ali Ahmad (45), who lives in a small house under the Netong hill on the banks of the Naf river, said, "For three days, the most explosions are in a few villages north of Mangdu city. The attack was carried out from the plane on Sunday afternoon.
Hanila Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Rashed Mohammad Ali said that there are reports of violent clashes between the Arakan Army and the government forces in Rachidong-Buthidaung Township in the southeast of Mangdu. The Arakan Army is attacking Mangdu city from three sides. Government forces still control parts of the Naf River in western Rakhine State.
Panel Mayor Mujibur Rahman of Teknaf Pourashava said that 60-70 mortar shells exploded in several villages around Mangdu from Saturday evening to Sunday evening. In this, earthquakes were created in Jaliapara, Chowdhurypara, Kulalpara, Dailpara of Teknaf pourashava. The previous two nights were the same. Children started crying in fear during the earthquake. When this conflict in Rakhine will stop, no one knows.
Teknaf upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury said that there were incidents of shooting and mortar shelling in the villages around Mangdu, but there was no news of the shooting at Teknaf border till evening. People in the border areas are advised to keep a safe distance.