Fighting along border subsides as BGB chief vows no illegal entry

Another 63 members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) crossed into Bangladesh seeking refuge on Wednesday, bringing the total to 327 this week amid the Myanmar junta's ongoing violent conflict with armed insurgents.
The latest influx includes largely security personnel. Most new arrivals entered via Ulubonia in Teknaf upazila and were disarmed and taken into custody, said Shariful Islam, spokesperson for Bangladesh's Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
From Saturday this week, panic started to grip the Tumbru area due to loud and frequent gunshots from Myanmar. Gunfire and mortar shells crossed the border, hitting homes and killing two, including a woman.
However, local representatives on Wednesday reported reduced fighting intensity since Tuesday midnight compared to previous days.
During a visit on Wednesday to Tumbru and Ghumdhum bordering areas in Bandarban, BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui also assured the situation was under control.
"We are handling the situation patiently, maintaining good international relations," Major General Siddiqui said. "Regardless of circumstances, no one will enter Bangladesh illegally."
He expressed confidence in the BGB's readiness to face any border challenges.
The BGB DG took a moment to inquire about the welfare of Myanmar security forces and army personnel who have sought refuge in Bangladesh during the ongoing conflicts in Myanmar.
Following the deaths from a mortar shell blast on Monday at Ghumdhum, Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned the Myanmar ambassador to lodge a strong protest.
The Myanmar military and rebel group Arakan Army have clashed intensely in Rakhine state, bordering Bandarban's Naikhongchhari. On Saturday, rebels seized a BGP outpost, prompting 14 Myanmar border personnel to flee to Bangladesh.
The conflict's effects are felt by residents on the Bangladeshi side, with many fleeing their homes.
In 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the elected government in a coup. In late October 2023, three ethnic rebel groups launched a coordinated offensive against the junta: the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Arakan Army (AA), and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).
These groups have clashed with the military in Shan, Rakhine, Chin and Kayah states, capturing key areas and army posts. The Arakan Army, fighting for greater Rakhine autonomy, is at the forefront.
In late August and early September 2022, Myanmar warplanes and helicopters crossed into Bangladesh airspace, triggering panic and prompting Dhaka to summon the Myanmar ambassador and express condemnation.