Dhaka summons Myanmar envoy over cross-border gunfire
Diplomatic Correspondent ;
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday summoned the Myanmar ambassador following an incident of cross-border gunfire that left a Bangladeshi child critically injured in Cox’s Bazar, calling the firing a clear violation of international law and a threat to good neighbourly relations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe was called in at noon, where Dhaka expressed deep concern over gunfire originating from Myanmar near Whykong Union in Teknaf. A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl sustained severe injuries during the incident.
Bangladesh reminded Myanmar that unprovoked firing across the border is unacceptable and undermines bilateral ties, Foreign Ministry said.
Dhaka urged Naypyidaw to take full responsibility for the incident and to adopt effective measures to prevent any recurrence.
The ministry also stressed that developments involving Myanmar authorities and armed groups inside Myanmar must not, under any circumstances, affect the lives and livelihoods of people in Bangladesh.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Kyaw Soe Moe assured that his government would take steps to stop such incidents in the future.
He also conveyed his government’s sincere sympathy to the injured girl and her family.
Bangladesh has repeatedly raised concerns over border security incidents amid ongoing instability in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, particularly in areas adjacent to the Bangladesh-Myanmar frontier.
In response, the Myanmar ambassador assured that his government would take steps to stop such incidents and expressed sincere sympathy to the injured girl and her family, according to the foreign ministry.
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of a prolonged and fragile situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
Since the outbreak of civil conflict in Myanmar following the 2021 military takeover, fighting in Rakhine State has intensified, particularly involving the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.
The violence has repeatedly spilled over into Bangladeshi territory in the form of stray shells, gunfire, and security alerts, raising persistent concerns in border communities.
Bangladesh is already hosting more than one million Rohingya refugees who fled earlier waves of violence in Myanmar, placing heavy social, economic, and security pressure on the country.
Dhaka has consistently called on Myanmar to create conditions conducive to the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the refugees, while also ensuring peace along the shared border.
Officials say Bangladesh remains committed to maintaining stability and constructive relations with Myanmar but will continue to take up any actions that threaten its sovereignty or the safety of its citizens.