Indian BSF trigger-happy with Bangladeshis crossing border
Family rejects smuggling allegations after Indian border forces open fire near frontier in latest cross-border killing
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — A Bangladeshi man was killed after India’s Border Security Force (BSF) opened fire near the Bangladesh frontier, in the latest deadly shooting along one of South Asia’s most heavily militarized borders.
The killing took place near the Bonchowki border area in northern Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat district, according to Bangladesh border authorities. The victim was identified as 25-year-old Khademul Islam, a resident of the border region.
Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam, commanding officer of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)-15 Battalion, said BSF personnel stationed at the Paglamari camp in India’s West Bengal state opened fire around 2:00 a.m. near the international border.
According to Bangladeshi authorities, Khademul and several others had crossed near the barbed-wire fence inside Indian territory when BSF personnel opened fire. He suffered bullet wounds to his hand, back and face before being carried back into Bangladesh by others accompanying him.
He was later taken to a hospital in Rangpur for treatment, where he died from his injuries.
The incident occurred near sub-pillar No. 6 of the 905 main border pillar in the Amjhol area, roughly 150 yards inside Indian territory, the BGB said.
Indian border forces have repeatedly faced accusations from rights organizations and Bangladeshi groups over the use of lethal force against civilians along the nearly 2,500-mile India-Bangladesh border, where shootings linked to alleged smuggling and unauthorized crossings remain a recurring source of tension.
Khademul’s family rejected allegations that he was involved in cattle smuggling, saying he had gone to catch fish near the border area.
“My son used to catch fish in local water bodies. He had gone near the border to fish,” his father, Amzad Hossain, said. “He was supposed to return home in the morning. He returned, but as a corpse.”
Bangladesh border authorities said they had lodged a formal protest with the BSF and called for a flag meeting between the two sides following the shooting.
Mehedi Imam said border patrols had been increased to prevent further tensions after the incident.
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