Rohingya youth killed in landmine explosion at Ghumdhum border

A Rohingya youth has been killed in a landmine explosion at the Ghumdhum border area in Naikhongchhari upazila, Bandarban, along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. The deceased has been identified as Abdul Khaleq, 30, son of Anu Mia, a resident of Block-C of Kutupalong-1 Rohingya camp in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, June 9, in the Rezu Amtali border area of Ghumdhum union. According to police and local sources, Khaleq was in the area near pillar number 40 adjacent to the Rezu Amtali BOP around 9:00 am when a landmine suddenly exploded. His left leg was severed from his body, and his right leg was severely damaged. Fellow workers rescued him and took him to the Kutupalong MSF Hospital in Ukhia, where he died around noon.

Locals alleged that landmines have been planted for a long time in various areas of Myanmar adjacent to the border, putting local residents and workers at constant risk while moving in border areas. The risk increases particularly during the monsoon season.

Naikhongchhari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque said a team from the Ghumdhum Police Investigation Centre visited the scene. Legal proceedings, including preparation of the post-mortem report, are underway.

At least four people have been killed in multiple landmine explosions in border areas over the past month, causing panic among border residents. Many are now afraid to go to agricultural land, orchards and jhum cultivation fields near the border.