A Bangladeshi farmer was injured after India’s Border Security Force (BSF) opened fire along the Jamalpur border in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia on Saturday morning.
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) fired shots in retaliation to protect Bangladeshi citizens on this side of the border, triggering tension in the area.
The incident occurred around 9:30am on Saturday near border pillar 152/10-S in Jamalpur border area.
Locals said that a patrol team from a camp of the 146 Battalion of the BSF fired a round of shotgun pellets at Sajul Hossain, 30, when he went near the zero line to cut grass in the morning.
He sustained pellet injuries to his leg, according to a press release from the 47 BGB Battalion.
Shortly after the shooting, a regular patrol team from BGB’s Jamalpur Border Outpost (BOP) took up positions in the area, the release added.
BGB personnel returned fire in self-defence to protect locals near the border. The force later increased surveillance and placed the area on heightened alert.
Attempts were made several times to contact Lieutenant Colonel Rashed Kamal Roni, commanding officer of Kushtia Battalion (BGB-47), by mobile phone for confirmation, but he was unavailable.
Sajul was first taken to Daulatpur Upazila Health Complex, where he received initial treatment. Tohid Hasan Tuhin, Daulatpur Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, confirmed that the victim was later referred to Kushtia General Hospital.
Meanwhile, local residents claimed that an Indian national had been detained after the incident. BGB has not confirmed the claim. Authorities said they would provide details after investigating the matter.
