Narinjara News, 31 August  2022

Myanmar military junta has used Bangladesh airspace toattack the Arakan Army (AA) by its helicopters.

The fierce fighting between the junta forces and AA membershas been taking place since the middle  of August after the AA conductedan offensive against the government forces along the international border withBangladesh.  

On 30 August, a Russia-made Mi 35 helicopter belonging toMyanmar air forces entered into Bangladesh airspace and attacked AA members inthe morning hours.

The Bangla media reported about the incident saying that theMyanmar forces on Tuesday crossed the international border and firedmultiple shells on the hills at Ghumdhum union in Bandarban'sNaikhongchari township.

Ghumdhum union chairman Md Jahangir Aziz Chawdhury confirmed that the Myanmar military helicopter was seen flying insideBangladesh from 11 am to 2 pm.

"The helicopter was seen roaming in the airspace ofBangladesh,” he said, quoting locals in the border areas.

BGB headquarters director (operation) lieutenant colonelFaizur Rahman informed the journalists that they received the input.

“The information is being verified,” he added.

On 28 August, two heavy mortar shells, reportedly firedfrom the Myanmar side, landed next to a local mosque inside  Bangladesh atTumbru of Ghumdhum union, which  caused chaos among locals.

Earlier on Monday, Dhaka summoned Myanmar's ambassador toBangladesh  Aung Kyaw Moe to lodge a protest against shelling of twomortars that landed inside its territory.

"We have asked them to make sure that such an incidentis not repeated," said Bangla foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen.

But even after the development, the Burmese forces usedBangladesh airspace to target  AA members with its helicopter.