Cattle trader killed by BSF

The Border Security Force has shot dead a Bangladeshi cattle trader near Nabinagar border in Lalmonirhat's Patgram upazila, in sixth such incident since January, said officials of the Border Guard Bangladesh.

The dead, Asadul Islam, 42, was son of Matiar Rahman from Bawra Nabinagar village in the upazila.

Quoting locals, BGB officials said the incident took place early yesterday when BSF men opened fire on a group of six to seven cattle traders from Bangladesh who trespassed into the Indian border for bringing cattle from Kuchlibari area in Cooch Behar district.

Asadul died on the spot while the others managed to escape the scene, they said.

BSF men also took away the body to their Kuchlibari camp under Meghliganj sub-division, the officials added.

Commanding Officer of Rangpur 51 BGB Battalion Lt Col Mostafizur Rahman said they had sent a letter to the BSF asking them to hand over the body.

"BSF assured us that they would hand over the body through a flag meeting after the autopsy is done by the Indian authorities," he said.

Earlier in January, three Bangladeshis were killed by BSF men in Thakurgaon and one each in Nilphamari and Rajshahi.