Violence Against Bangladeshis Along Border Escalates

A recent review of incidents over the past two years highlights the ongoing challenges and tensions at the border. In 2023, 25 Bangladeshi nationals lost their lives in separate incidents, underscoring the volatile nature of the frontier. Of these fatalities, 19 were the result of gunfire from India's Border Security Force (BSF), while six others were killed by Indian civilians, according to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Headquarters.

The persistence of violence has raised alarm over the BSF’s use of deadly force and occasional skirmishes with local Indian residents. Despite the repeated assurances of BSF's Director General to reduce border-related casualties to zero, the deadly use of force remains a disturbing pattern, fueling growing calls for accountability from both nations.

The violence continued unabated into 2024. Data from the BGB Headquarters shows that between January 1 and December 31, another 19 Bangladeshi nationals were killed by BSF personnel. In addition, five deaths were attributed to Indian civilians. This disturbing trend has carried over into 2025, with three more fatalities recorded in the first two months alone—one at the hands of BSF and two by Indian nationals.

These deaths underscore the significant risks faced by individuals who cross the border in search of economic opportunities, migration, or trade. The Bangladesh-India border has long been a hotspot for human rights concerns, with frequent reports of violence, illegal crossings, and territorial disputes that affect the lives of those living in the border regions.

Human rights organizations have called on both governments to ease tensions, strengthen border security protocols, and ensure accountability for the perpetrators of violence. While Indian authorities have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the recent deaths, past incidents have been met with condemnation from Bangladesh. Advocacy groups have also appealed to the international community for intervention to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis at the border.

For the families of the victims, the violence leaves behind a deep sense of grief and a lingering search for justice. As the death toll rises, there is mounting pressure on both Bangladesh and India to address the situation and develop a more secure and humane border policy.

In an exclusive statement, Lt. Col. SM Shafiqur Rahman, Director of Operations at BGB Headquarters, revealed that over the past decade, 220 Bangladeshi nationals have been killed by BSF personnel, with 57 additional fatalities caused by Indian civilians during the same period. Rahman reiterated that BGB personnel operate in strict adherence to international laws and human rights regulations.

“We always ensure that when Indian nationals cross into Bangladesh illegally, we detain them and hand them over to Indian authorities for legal action,” said Rahman. “We do not resort to deadly force, and this is why we have not had any casualties among Indian nationals at the hands of the BGB."

Rahman also emphasized that the BGB consistently urges BSF officials during meetings to adopt a non-lethal approach to border security and apprehend violators without resorting to gunfire. “We repeatedly urge them not to open fire on our citizens who may cross the border illegally but instead to apprehend them and bring them under the law,” he added.

Furthermore, Rahman called on international human rights organizations to take a firmer stance against the BSF’s lethal tactics at the border.

Regarding the ongoing issue of border crossings, Rahman explained that the vast majority of border incidents are related to smuggling, with syndicates operating on both sides of the border. “When smuggling syndicates clash, those involved are often caught in violent confrontations with BSF personnel,” he noted. "However, when Indian nationals enter Bangladesh illegally, we adhere to human rights laws by detaining them and ensuring they face the appropriate legal action.”

The sheer distance between Border Outposts (BOPs), which are staffed by just 20 to 35 personnel, presents another challenge for maintaining control. “While 700 BGB teams patrol the border at any given time, the vastness of the frontier and the large number of crossings make it difficult to fully prevent illegal movement,” Rahman said.

In an effort to curb such incidents, the BGB has been actively engaging with border communities to raise awareness about the risks of illegal crossings and the importance of following proper legal channels.

Amid these escalating tensions, diplomatic efforts are ongoing. However, the urgency of addressing border-related fatalities remains high, as both nations come under increasing international pressure to protect human rights and ensure the safety of their citizens along the frontier.