A Rohingya man was shot dead while another sustained injuries in a deadly shootout between two armed groups of Myanmar along Tumbru border in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban.
The deceased was identified as Hamid Ullah and the injured was identified as Muhib Ullah. Both of them were suspected to be members of armed groups.
According to police and local sources, the firing started between two armed groups on the zero line of Konarpara of Tumbru border of Ghumdhum union of Naikhongchhari upazila of the district on Wednesday morning.
Cox's Bazar Ukhiya police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Mohammal Ali said that Hamid Ullah was taken to MSF Hospital next to the Kutupalong Rohingya Camp in Cox's Bazar at around 2:45pm where the duty doctor declared him dead.
Another injured, Muhib Ullah, was sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment. Hamid's body has been kept at the hospital's morgue.
“It still cannot be ascertained why they were shot. Both had been wearing special coloured armour on their bodies. They are believed to be members of a rebel group in Myanmar,” the OC added.
Naikhongchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Romen Sharma said that after 6am, firing started between the two sides at the zero line of Konarpara of Tumbru border of Ghumdhum union of Naikhongchhari upazila.
Earlier in the morning, firing on the Ghumdhum-Tumbru border sparked panic among local residents on Wednesday.
Deputy Commissioner Yasmin Parvin Tibrizi in the morning said firing was going on between Myanmar's separatist groups at the zero line on the Ghumdhum-Tumbru border.
“The separatist groups are trying to create chaos at the border. Details about the matter will be given later,” she said.
According to locals, exchange of fire was going on between the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa).
Gumdhum Union Parishad Chairman Jahangir Aziz said an investigation is underway on this matter. “There has been firing on the zero line of the border,” he added.