A Bangladeshi youth was allegedly shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along Bakherali frontier in Chapainawabganj early Thursday.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has confirmed that a body was later recovered from the Bhagirathi River inside Indian territory.
The victim was identified as Toshikur Islam, 32, son of Ibrahim of Bakherali Paschimpara in Charbagdanga union under Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila.
Local sources said BSF members from Bahura Camp shot Toshikur dead and dumped his body in the river.
Sadrul Islam, a relative of the victim, said Toshikur had gone out saying he needed to check on their cattle. “We heard the BSF killed him,” he said.
Toshikur’s father Ibrahim said his son left home to look after their herd but never returned. “Later we heard the BSF killed my son, but I cannot say how. We informed the local BGB through two ward members,” he said.
His brother Uzir Ali said the family had been told the body was found floating in an Indian river. “Police in Jangipur recovered the body. We do not know how it ended up there,” he added.
A flag meeting between BGB and BSF company commanders was held on Thursday at the Jahurpur border in Chapainawabganj.
The BGB side was led by Subedar Shahidul Islam, while Assistant Commandant Manoj Bora represented the BSF.
BGB informed BSF that the body of Bangladeshi citizen Toshikur was in the custody of India’s Jangipur Police Station and requested its return.
Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mostafizur Rahman, commanding officer of BGB Battalion 53 in Chapainawabganj, said they had learned from Toshikur’s father that a body was found eight kilometres inside India in the Bhagirathi River.
“A flag meeting was held today. We have provided Toshikur’s details and photograph. BSF said they will verify the matter and inform us,” he said.
