Two youths, including a Bangladeshi national, were injured in a shooting by the rebel Arakan Army (AA) along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border at Ghumdhum, under Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban.

The injured were identified as Mohammad Jahangir, 20, a resident of Ghumdhum’s ward no. 3, and Mohammad Hossain, 27, a Rohingya from Myanmar.

Around 7-8 rounds of gunfire were fired approximately 200 metres east of the zero line, inside Myanmar’s territory, in the Chitarkhum area of Vazabunia village on Friday night, according to local sources.

The injured, one of whom sustained two bullet wounds to a leg, have been admitted to a private hospital in Ukhiya, said Cox’s Bazar Superintendent of Police Mohammad Saifuddin Shahin.

He added that the shooting area, which has been under the control of the Arakan Army since December last year, is known for cross-border smuggling activities.

Authorities are currently investigating whether the injured individuals were involved in smuggling, he said.