Post by : Meena Ariff

Bangladesh has placed its border with Myanmar on high alert following the detention of 53 members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) who crossed into Bangladeshi territory amid escalating violence across the frontier.

Paramilitary officials confirmed that the militants were apprehended after entering areas near Cox’s Bazar, a region that already hosts more than one million Rohingya refugees. Security forces intensified patrols immediately after the incident to prevent further illegal crossings.

According to authorities, at least two people have been injured since January 11 due to the spillover of violence from Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Among the injured is a 12-year-old girl who suffered a gunshot wound, highlighting the growing risks faced by civilians living near the border.

Border Guard Bangladesh officials stated that one of the detained individuals required medical treatment and was shifted to a hospital, while the remaining suspects are being held in police custody as legal proceedings continue.

Local residents reported that the militants were intercepted shortly after crossing the border, prompting swift action by law enforcement agencies. Security forces have since increased surveillance and deployed additional personnel in nearby villages.

ARSA, a militant group formed in response to the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, has been involved in violent clashes with rival armed groups, including the Arakan Army. Bangladeshi officials say heavy fighting continues across the border, involving ground combat and aerial attacks.

A senior security official described the situation as a three-sided conflict, with ARSA and the Arakan Army engaged in battles while Myanmar’s military conducts air strikes in the region.

Villages along the Bangladeshi side of the border remain tense, with residents limiting movement and taking precautionary measures amid fears of stray fire and shelling. Smoke from bombardments has reportedly been visible from across the border.

The Bangladeshi government has assured that law enforcement agencies remain fully deployed to monitor the situation closely and prevent any further security threats stemming from the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.

#Global News