Bangladeshi cattle trader killed in 'BSF shooting'

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly shot dead a Bangladeshi cattle trader along Char Ashariadaha border in Rajshahi's Godagari upazila early yesterday.

The victim, Jamal Uddin, 45, was the son of Golam Mostafa of Moynartek Dhabermath village, said sources of Shahebganj BGB camp.

Initially, the BGB camp and his family members said Jamal was killed in BSF firing. But top officials at the battalion headquarters in Rajshahi refuted the claim.

Contacted, Maj Ashif Bulbul, second-in-command of BGB Battalion-1, said they sent an official to Jamal's house. The family told the official that Jamal “died of a heart attack”, he added.

The Daily Star could not independently verify the family's statement.

Asked why there was an injury mark on his body that looked like a bullet wound, the official said they were investigating the matter.

Jamal entered India illegally on Wednesday along with some 20 other cattle traders, said locals.

Quoting Jamal's accomplices, a villager said it was 2:00am yesterday when Jamal and others were returning home with some cattle.

A team of four BSF members caught them when they were entering Bangladesh territory. 

The cattle traders were locked in a scuffle with the forces. At one point, Jamal pulled a sharp weapon out and he was then shot dead, the local said.

Jamal's accomplices, somehow, managed to return home along with Jamal's body. They kept his body in front of his house and went into hiding, he added.

“I first came to know that he was shot dead. Now, I heard about his heart attack,” said Sakim Uddin, a local union parishad member.

Jamal was buried in the afternoon.

Contacted, Jahangir Alam, officer-in-charge of Godagari Police Station, said he was not aware of the incident.

None of the BSF members could be contacted.