BGB on alert as BSF fires rubber bullets at Burimari border

Three people, including a member of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were injured today as Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel fired rubber bullets at zero point of Burimari land port in Lalmonirhat's Patgram upazila.

Both border forces are on high alert and have been relocating locals to safety after the incident took place around 5:30pm, said Omar Faruk, commander of the Burimari BGB camp.

BSF members of Changrabandha camp in Koch Bihar fired the rubber bullets at the Bangladesh side targeting a mentally challenged man who has been staying at the no man's land at the border for last two days, the BGB official said.

It was yet to be determined whether the man is from India or Bangladesh, Omar Faruk said, adding that two locals -- Alif Islam and Firoza Bewa --and a BGB member named Khokon Islam sustained injuries while trying to flee to safety when the incident took place.

"BSF members fired at us without provocation, and if they do so again then we will also retaliate," the BGB camp commander said.

The mentally challenged man was still at the zero line of the border and BSF members may fire rubber pellets targeting him again, Omar Faruk added.