BSF kills 2 Bangladeshi nationals

Indian Border security Force-BSF killed two Bangladeshi nationals on Charaldanga frontier of Gomostapur upazila in Chapainawabganj early Monday, some 200 yards inside the Indian Territory from the border.

The deceased were identified as, Shahjahan Ali Bhutto, 35, son of Hekmat Ali of Begpur village and Zobdul Haque alias Bhadu,35, son of late Daud Ali of Charaldanga village  under Gomostapur upazila in the district.

Lt Col Zahid Hasan, Commanding Officer of 43 Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh in Naogaon said, the BSF personnel of Anuradhapur camp under 82 BSF Battalion of Malda in West Bengal opened fire on five to seven smugglers at around 2:00 am killing Shahjahan and Zobdul on the spot. They were going to India by crossing the Punorbhaba river to collect illegal goods. Others managed to escape from the spot.

He said, a joint investigation was held at around 4:00 pm by BGB and BSF personnel at the border area where the incident happened. BSF members of Anuradhapur camp confirmed to BGB that they shot the two men about 200 yards inside Indian territory at around 2:00 am.

BSF claimed that around five to seven smugglers were cutting fences to enter Indian territory for collection of goods to smuggle back across the border. When BSF members chased them men from among the smugglers attacked one BSF personnel with sharp weapons (Hasua) and injured him. The BSF jawans of Anuradhapur camp then opened fire on the smugglers, he said.

BSF men recovered one pair of pliers and sharp weapons the smugglers left behind and showed these to the CO of BGB during the joint investigation. They also brought the wounded BSF personnel to show them to BSF, said the CO.

Indian police recovered their dead bodies from the spot and sent them to Malda Hospital morgue for autopsy.

BSF agreed to return the dead bodies of Shahjahan and Zobdul to Bangladesh today (Tuesday) morning at around 10:00 am to 11:00 am, the CO added.