Reports further stated that several others accompanying the group sustained injuries and were shifted to Comilla for medical treatment
KRC TIMES NE Desk
Agartala : Two Bangladeshi nationals were reportedly killed in alleged firing by the Border Security Force along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura’s Sepahijala district late Friday night, according to reports published by several Bangladeshi media outlets.
The deceased were identified in Bangladeshi media reports as Md Morsalin, 22, son of Hebju Mia from the Dhajanagar Batanbari area under Gopinathpur union in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria district, and Nabir Hossain of Madhurpur.
Sources said the incident occurred around 11.15 pm near the Dhajanagar border area adjoining the Kasba border in Bangladesh, allegedly within Indian territory. According to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), a group of nearly 15 Bangladeshi nationals had crossed into Indian territory with the assistance of Indian associates for alleged smuggling activities.
The BGB claimed that while the group was returning with goods, they were intercepted by a patrol team of the BSF’s 49th Battalion from the Pathariadwar camp, following which firing allegedly took place.
Reports further stated that several others accompanying the group sustained injuries and were shifted to Comilla for medical treatment.
Hospital sources in Tripura said one body was brought to Bishalgarh Subdivisional Hospital from the Kamalasagar border area around 11.50 pm after the individual suffered bullet injuries in the alleged firing incident.
Indian authorities had not officially confirmed the identity of the second deceased till the filing of the report. However, Bangladeshi media claimed that the second individual died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in India.
Lieutenant Colonel SM Shariful Islam, commanding officer of BGB’s 60th Battalion, told Bangladeshi media outlets that the force was in communication with the BSF regarding repatriation of the bodies and would issue a formal protest note over the incident.
The BGB also alleged that the victims were involved in smuggling activities along the border. There was no official statement from the BSF regarding the incident till the time of filing this report.
