Rohingya youth loses leg in landmine blast at Naikhongchhari

A Rohingya youth lost part of his leg in a landmine explosion along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Bandarban’s Naikhongchhari upazila.

The incident took place on Thursday night (June 26), in the Paschimkul Lalkanda area of Ghumdhum union.

The injured was identified as Yunus, 25, is a resident of the Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp and son of Ezahar Hossain.

According to law enforcement and local sources, Yunus was injured while allegedly smuggling goods from Bangladesh into Myanmar when a landmine believed to have been planted by Myanmar's armed group Arakan Army exploded.

Following the blast, local residents rescued Yunus and rushed him to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital. His right ankle was reportedly severed in the explosion.

Zafar Iqbal, in-charge of the Ghumdhum Investigation Center, confirmed the incident. "A Rohingya youth was seriously injured in a mine explosion during smuggling. He has been sent to the hospital for treatment," he said.

This is the latest in a series of similar incidents. On Wednesday, June 25, Omar Mia, 25, of Kachhpia union in Ramu upazila, Cox's Bazar, was seriously injured by a mine explosion near the Jaruliachhari border. Earlier, on June 22, another youth, Arafatur Rahman, 22, lost his leg in an explosion at the Jamchhari border area.

Naikhongchhari Upazila Executive Officer Muhammad Mazharul Islam Chowdhury stated, "Mine explosions frequently occur during smuggling attempts across the border. Both Rohingya and local youth are involved. The BGB and law enforcement agencies have intensified surveillance to curb these activities."