Bangladeshi killed in 'BSF firing'

A Bangladeshi man was killed yesterday in what appeared to be a BSF firing near the border in Chapainawabganj's Shibganj upazila.

Indian Border Security Force, however, denied involvement in the incident.

Quoting locals, Shahadat Hossain, chairman of the upazila's Monakasha union, said Mohammad Jem, 30, a man from Parchouka village, along with others was in his crop field near Shingnagar border.

All of a sudden, BSF opened fire on them, leaving Jem seriously wounded, he said.

Jem died later around 5:00am, he said.

On information, Border Guard Bangladesh went to Jem's house and found his bullet-hit body there.

When the BGB communicated the BSF about the matter, the Indian side said it did not open any fire.

Lt Col Sajjad Sarwar, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-53, said it was not clear whether the man was killed in BSF firing. “We are investigating”.

Shibganj police was informed about the incident, said BGB sources.