A six-year-old Rohingya child was killed after being shot while in his mother’s arms during a gunfight between two armed groups at a camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar.

The child’s mother, Tahera Begum, a resident of Block B-41 of Camp 8 (East), was also shot in the abdomen. She is currently undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

The gunfight took place in Camp 8 (East) from around 4:30pm yesterday and continued for nearly two hours, police said. The clash took place over control of the camp.

The deceased was identified as Mohammad Yusuf.

Superintendent of Police Riaz Uddin Ahmed, acting commander of the Armed Police Battalion, said that members of the Nabi Hossain group joined the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), while members of the ARA sided with the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) and took part in the exchange of fire.

He said RSO and ARA members launched attacks from the foothills in an attempt to take control of Camp 8 (East). In response, members of ARSA and the Nabi Hossain group opened fire from the hilltop.

At one point during the two-hour gunfight, Yusuf was shot in the head while in his mother’s arms, leaving him injured. Tahera was also shot at the same time.

The SP said the injured mother and child were initially taken to MSF Hospital and later transferred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital. They were subsequently referred to Chattogram for advanced treatment. Yusuf died early today while they were being taken to Chattogram.

He said police rushed to the site and brought the situation under control.

“Additional security measures have been taken to maintain normalcy in the camp,” he said.