A gunfight between members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and drug peddlers occurred along the Bangladesh-Myanmar frontier in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar on Tuesday evening, triggering panic among local residents.
However, there were no casualties, BGB 34 Battalion said in a press release on Tuesday night.
Lt Col Saiful Islam Chowdhury, chief of the battalion, said two groups exchanged fire over drug peddling in the Dhamankhali border area under Palangkhali union near border pillar No 20.
Upon hearing the gunshots, patrol teams of the BGB from Ghumdhum and Palangkhali border outposts went to the spot.
Also Read: Firing at border sparks panic in Ukhiya
The drug traders opened fire on the BGB personnel sensing their presence, said the release.
At one stage, the BGB members retaliated in self-defence, the release said, adding that the drug traders were forced to step back due to strict action from the Bangladesh side.
The BGB suffered no casualties or damage in the gunfight and the border forces are on the alert in the area.
Apart from this, surveillance was beefed up at the border, the media release added.
Earlier in the evening, Gafur Uddin, chairman of Palangkhali union parishad, said he had heard about the firing, and that the incident took place at around 6pm on Tuesday.
“In the evening, sudden firing started from the Myanmar side, targeting the BGB outpost at Dhamankhali border in Palangkhali union. It went on for at least 30-40 minutes. Later, BGB personnel fired back, after which they (those who started the shooting) went away by crossing the border,” the UP chairman said, quoting locals.
