Bangladeshi shot dead by India’s BSF along Panchagarh border

BSF at Bangladesh-India border

Dhaka, Dec 6 - A Bangladeshi man was shot dead by members of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) early Friday, along the border near Panchagarh Sadar upazila.

The victim, 40-year-old Anwar Hossain of Amjowani village in Debnagar union, Tetulia upazila, was killed at sub-pillar 8/9 of main pillar 751, near Mominpara in Haribhasa union, Panchagarh Sadar upazila, and Singpara in India. He was the son of Rafiqul Islam.

According to the Nilphamari 56 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion, Anwar and several others crossed into India Thursday night to bring back cattle. While returning in the early morning, they were intercepted by the BSF’s 93 Battalion from Chanakya Camp.

The BSF claimed the group of Bangladeshis, armed with weapons, attacked them. In response, the BSF said they first fired a sound grenade and then live rounds in self-defense, injuring Anwar. The group fled, but Anwar managed to cross back into Bangladesh, where he collapsed and died. The BSF reportedly seized two cattle during the confrontation.

The BGB discharged eight rounds of blank fire to deter further violence and seized one smuggled cow from the Bangladeshi side.

Lt Col Sheikh Mohammad Badruddoza, commander of the Nilphamari 56 BGB Battalion, visited the scene with Haribhasa Union Parishad Chairman Syed Nure Alam and strongly condemned the killing.

A formal protest letter was sent to the BSF by Col Muhammad Touhidur Rahman, sector commander of the BGB Sector Headquarters in Thakurgaon. The BGB labeled the killing an unjustified act of aggression.

The body of Anwar Hossain was found within Bangladeshi territory. Sub-Inspector Mohammad Abu Taher of Panchagarh Sadar Police Station confirmed that the BGB assisted in recovering the body, which was taken to the police station. It will be handed over to the family following a post-mortem examination. - UNB