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Bangladesh Summons Myanmar Envoy Over Cross-Border Firing, Landmine Threat

Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Myanmar Ambassador to express deep concern over a recent cross-border firing incident that severely injured a 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl. Bangladesh condemned the unprovoked firing as a violation of international law and a hindrance to bilateral relations, demanding Myanmar take responsibility and prevent future occurrences. The border region remains perilous, with Myanmar being the world's most dangerous country for landmine casualties, affecting villagers who must enter forests for survival. The area also hosts over a million Rohingya refugees, caught between Myanmar's military and separatist forces, with Bangladesh border guards conducting regular mine-clearing operations amid the ongoing threat.

Key Points: Bangladesh Summons Myanmar Envoy Over Border Firing, Landmines

  • 12-year-old girl injured in cross-border firing
  • Bangladesh summons Myanmar Ambassador
  • Myanmar is world's most dangerous for landmines
  • Over a million Rohingya refugees in border area
  • Villagers vulnerable to explosives in forests
2 min read

Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs summons Myanmar Ambassador

Bangladesh expressed deep concern to Myanmar over cross-border firing injuring a child and the growing landmine threat affecting border communities.

"unprovoked firing towards Bangladesh is a blatant violation of the international law - Bangladesh Foreign Ministry"

Dhaka, January 13

Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe at noon today and expressed deep concern of Bangladesh at the recent incident of gunfire from Myanmar towards Bangladesh near Whykong Union of Teknaf, Cox's Bazar.

A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl was severely injured during the cross-border firing, Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Bangladesh reminded that the unprovoked firing towards Bangladesh is a blatant violation of the international law and a hindrance to good neighbourly relationship.

Bangladesh asked Myanmar to take full responsibility and requisite measures to stop such cross-border firings in future. Bangladesh also asked to ensure that whatever happens between the Myanmar authorities and the armed groups in Myanmar should not anyway affect lives and livelihoods of the people in Bangladesh.

The Myanmar ambassador assured that his government would take measures to stop such incidents and expressed their sincere sympathy to the injured and her family.

Bangladesh's 271km (168-mile) eastern border with Myanmar cuts through forests and rivers, much of it unmarked. It is crossed daily by villagers, as their families have done for generations, to collect firewood or carry out small-time trading, as per Al Jazeera.

Myanmar is the world's most dangerous country for landmine casualties, according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which has documented the "massive" and growing use of the weapons, banned by many states. The group recorded more than 2,000 casualties in Myanmar in 2024, the latest full year for which statistics are available, double the total reported the year before, as per Al Jazeera.

More than a million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar also live in Bangladesh's border regions, caught between the warring military and separatist forces.

Bangladesh police say at least 28 people were injured by landmines in 2025. In November that year, a Bangladesh border guard was killed when a landmine tore off both his legs.

Bangladesh's border force has put up warning signs and red flags, and carries out regular mine-clearing operations. But villagers say warnings offer little protection when survival depends on entering forests seeded with explosives, leaving communities in Bangladesh vulnerable to the packages that come with wars, as per Al Jazeera.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The situation on that border is a humanitarian crisis. Over a million Rohingya refugees, landmines, and now cross-border firing. It's a tinderbox. India should also be watching this closely, as instability in our neighbourhood affects us all. Our border forces must stay extra vigilant.
A
Aman W
Bangladesh is right to summon the ambassador. This is a clear violation of sovereignty. But I have to ask, is summoning and getting an "assurance" enough? The Myanmar military's track record is poor. Stronger diplomatic pressure from regional powers like India and ASEAN is needed.
S
Sarah B
The part about villagers having to enter mined forests for survival is devastating. It's an impossible choice. This isn't just a border security issue, it's a deep development and poverty issue. International aid should focus on creating alternative livelihoods so people don't have to risk their lives daily.
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Vikram M
As an Indian, I appreciate Bangladesh's measured diplomatic response. They've stated their concern clearly and asked for responsibility. This is how neighbours should communicate, even during tense times. It's a lesson in handling border issues with firmness but without escalation. Hope Myanmar listens.
K
Karthik V
The landmine statistics from Myanmar are horrifying – 2000+ casualties. This conflict is spilling over and making the entire region unsafe. While our focus is often on our western border, we cannot ignore the volatility on the eastern side. SAARC needs to be more proactive on this, frankly.

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