Four Bangladeshis Injured in BSF Clash at Kurigram Border

The injured have been identified as Shamsul Alam (60), Jabed Ali (55), Tajul Islam (40), and Kashem Ali (50), all residents of Paschim Balatari village. The incident occurred in the afternoon, sparking protests from locals.

According to Lalmonirhat’s 15 BGB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Shakil Alam, the situation escalated after a group of Bangladeshis gathered near the border. "We are in the process of gathering more details, but the incident has created significant tension," he said.

Eyewitnesses and relatives of the injured describe the events as follows: Shamsul Alam, who was sitting about 200 to 300 yards inside Bangladesh's border, was approached by 10-12 BSF personnel who crossed the international border and questioned him. An argument quickly turned violent, with BSF members allegedly striking Shamsul with the butt of their guns, injuring his hand.

Shamsul returned to his village and informed the locals about the incident. In response, a group of villagers confronted the BSF officers, armed with sticks, to protest the unprovoked attack. In retaliation, BSF members fired rubber bullets and beat several other Bangladeshis, leaving three more injured.

Local resident Ashiq Ahmed condemned the BSF’s actions, saying, "We did not cross into India; they came into our area and assaulted people. When we protested, they fired rubber bullets at us."

Afterward, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel intervened and dispersed the crowd, moving citizens away from the zero line to defuse the situation. The Bangladesh authorities are now investigating the incident to determine the full extent of the border clash.