The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) handed over the bodies of two Bangladeshi nationals on Saturday afternoon, almost 18 hours after they were shot dead at the Dhajanagar border in Kasba Upazila of Brahmanbaria.
The handover took place following a battalion-level flag meeting held at Main Pillar 2036 area of the Khirnal border in Kasba. The deceased have been identified as Md Mursalin, 20, son of Hebju Mia of Dhajanagar village, and Nabir Hossain, son of Makram Ali of Madhupur village.
The fatal incident occurred around 1am on Saturday in the Dhajanagar-Pathariadwar border area.
According to local sources, BSF members opened fire on a group of individuals positioned at the border late at night. Several people, including Mursalin and Nabir Hossain, sustained gunshot wounds. BSF authorities subsequently informed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) that the two men died while undergoing treatment at an Indian hospital.
A press release issued by the BGB claimed that roughly 15 Bangladeshi smugglers had entered nearly 200 yards into Indian territory to engage in smuggling activities with the assistance of Indian counterparts. A scuffle reportedly ensued when BSF members obstructed the group, leading the BSF to open fire.
Reports indicate that several others were also injured during the incident.
The Bangladeshi delegation at the flag meeting was led by Lieutenant Colonel SM Shariful Islam, commanding officer of 60 BGB Battalion (Sultanpur), and Nazneen Sultana, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kasba Police Station.
The Indian side was represented by Lieutenant Colonel Ajit Kumar Singh, commanding officer of 49 BSF Battalion, along with multiple officers from Bishalgarh Police Station. BGB officials confirmed that a protest note has been sent to the BSF regarding the killings. The situation at the border is currently reported to be normal.
