Dhaka, 04 July (H.S.): Tensions have intensified along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border as heavy fighting escalates in Myanmar's Rakhine State, raising fears of a fresh influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh. Residents of Teknaf and other border areas are concerned that the worsening violence could force thousands more civilians to flee across the frontier.

According to local residents and Rohingya refugees who remain in contact with their relatives in Rakhine, continuous heavy gunfire and powerful explosions have been heard across the border over the past two days. Reports indicate that Myanmar's military has intensified its operations in Maungdaw, Buthidaung and other areas under the control of the Arakan Army.

Shah Alam, a resident of Shah Porir Dwip, a border island in Bangladesh, said the explosions were so powerful that houses shook with an intensity similar to an earthquake.

However, Bangladeshi authorities have not confirmed reports claiming that large numbers of Rohingya are waiting along the banks of the Naf River to enter Bangladesh. Officials said the situation along the border is being closely monitored.

A Rohingya community leader at the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar said the situation in Maungdaw has become extremely critical, with many families searching for safer locations to escape the violence.

Bangladesh is already hosting more than one million Rohingya refugees who fled persecution and violence in Myanmar over the past several years, particularly during the mass exodus of 2017. The renewed violence in Rakhine has once again heightened concerns over border security and the possibility of another humanitarian crisis.

The Teknaf Upazila administration said there has been no official confirmation of any new cross-border infiltration so far. Meanwhile, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has stepped up patrols along the Naf River and other sensitive border areas to prevent any unauthorised crossings.

The escalating conflict has also affected neighbouring Thailand. Following cross-border gunfire during clashes between Myanmar's military and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), which damaged several houses in Thailand's Tak Province, Thai authorities have indefinitely closed all border crossings with Myanmar and deployed additional security personnel along the frontier.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar