Staff Reporter:
Two Bangladeshi nationals, including a college student, were killed in firing by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the Kasba border in Brahmanbaria on Friday night.
The incident took place around 11:15pm in the Dhajanagar border area of Kasba upazila.
One of the deceased has been identified as Md Morsalin (22), son of Hebju Mia from Dhajanagar Batanbari village under Gopinathpur union of Kasba upazila. He was a student of Shah Alam Degree College.
According to family members, Morsalin was called out of his home by local individuals at night and taken towards the border area. They claimed that BSF personnel opened fire from the Indian side during a patrol, leaving him dead. His body was later taken into Indian territory by BSF members, the family alleged.
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said the deceased were involved in smuggling activities. Lt Col SM Shariful Islam, commander of BGB-60 Battalion, said that around 15 Bangladeshi individuals, allegedly involved in smuggling with Indian counterparts, crossed into Indian territory through the Dhajanagar border for smuggling activities.
He added that during their return with smuggled goods, BSF personnel from the Pathariadwar camp of the 49th Battalion attempted to stop them, leading to a confrontation.
“At one stage of scuffle and resistance, BSF opened fire, resulting in the death of Md Morsalin and another injured person who later died while undergoing treatment in an Indian hospital,” he said.
BGB officials said efforts are underway to repatriate the bodies of the deceased through communication with BSF commanders. A protest note has been sent, and preparations for a flag meeting are in progress.
