BGB member among five killed in Khagrachhari clash: police

Five people, including a member of Border Guard Bangladesh, were killed and at least 15 others injured in a clash between the paramilitary force and villagers in Khagrachhari's Matiranga upazila this afternoon, police said.

The incident took place when BGB members wanted to stop a timber-laden truck at Gazinagar village and were resisted by the traders, our Bandarban correspondent reports quoting Khagrachhari Additional Superintendent of Police MM Salauddin.

The situation flared up when villagers joined in with the timber traders and the BGB members opened fire on them, the police official said.

The deceased were identified as Shahab Mia, 54, his two sons, Ali Akbar, 27, and Ahmad Ali, 26, their relative Mafiz Mia, 55, and BGB soldier Md Shaon, 28, said Pratap Chandra Biswas, deputy commissioner (DC) of Khagrachhari, who visited the spot after the incident. 

Mafiz Mia died on the way to Chittagong Medical College Hospital and the rest died on the spot, said the DC.

Law enforcers were able to bring the situation under control after two hours, he added.

 "BGB personnel wanted to seize a timber truck at Gazinagar area, and at one stage a fight broke out between BGB and the traders," the DC said.

Till evening today, Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital only received the body of the deceased BGB member for autopsy, said Mitan Chakma, civil surgeon (in charge) of the district.

"BGB soldier Shaon's body bore bullet marks in the chest," said the civil surgeon. Authorities have not yet been able ascertain how the villagers were able to return fire against the paramilitary force.

The DC added that a three-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the incident.

Quoting locals Hironjoy Tripura, a union parishad member of the area, said panic had gripped the locality after the clash.

"We are investigating the incident and additional forces were deployed to the area to avert further untoward situations," said ASP MM Salauddin.