A suspected bidi smuggler was killed as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) allegedly opened fire on his gang in self-defence in Hazipur union of Moulvibazar's Kulaura upazila early today.

The deceased is Badrul Islam (22) of Daudpur village in the upazila, said Hazipur Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Basit Bachhu.

Mohammad Abdul Kader, Alinagor camp commander in BGB-46, told our Moulvibazar correspondent that a BGB patrol team took position in Shuvonavi Char area near Razapur Bridge after receiving information that a big consignment of Indian Nasir Bidi will enter the district from India.

At one stage, the smugglers reached the spot and started unloading bidis from a boat. But they fled the scene when the BGB men blew their whistles, the official said.

After a few moments, the smugglers returned with their gang and attacked the BGB members with sharp weapons, the BGB official said.

The patrol team fired one round in self defence and in an attempt to disperse the smugglers, he added.  

After they returned from the spot, locals informed them that a bullet-hit body was found on the spot, he added.

The body was still at the scene till this morning when the report was filed.