Bangladeshi Child Injured by Gunfire from Myanmar Dies While Under Treatment in Dhaka

A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl, Huzayfa Sultana Afnan, who was critically injured by gunfire allegedly coming from Myanmar, has died while undergoing treatment in Dhaka. She passed away at 9:45 AM on Saturday at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, where she had been on life support for several weeks.

According to hospital sources, Huzayfa had remained on life support since her admission. Associate Professor Dr. Humayun Kabir Himu said that her condition initially showed some improvement, allowing doctors to remove her from the mechanical ventilator. Although she was able to breathe without assistance for a short time, her oxygen level later dropped, and she was again placed on mechanical ventilation last Thursday.

Dr. Himu further stated that a severe infection had spread throughout her bloodstream, which did not respond to antibiotics due to antibiotic resistance. As the infection worsened, Huzayfa went into shock. Despite administering alternative medications, doctors were unable to save her.

The child’s death was confirmed by her uncle, Shawkat, who was staying with her at the hospital. He said that doctors declared her dead on Saturday morning and that preparations were underway to take her body home. He also requested prayers for his niece.

Huzayfa was injured on the morning of January 11 when she was hit by a bullet allegedly fired from across the Myanmar border in Teknaf, Bangladesh. She initially received treatment locally before being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Chattogram Medical College Hospital later that evening, where she was kept on life support.

On January 13, she was transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment after doctors were unable to remove the bullet lodged in her head.

At the time, Professor Harunur Rashid, Head of the Anesthesia and ICU Department at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, said that although surgery was performed, the bullet that penetrated her brain could not be removed due to the high risk involved.