Two Bangladeshis Killed in BSF Firing at Sunamganj and Thakurgaon Borders

Two Bangladeshi citizens have been killed in separate incidents of gunfire by India's Border Security Force (BSF) at the borders of Sunamganj and Thakurgaon. According to officials from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the incidents occurred on Friday night at the Baganbari border in Sunamganj's Doarabazar Upazila and in the early hours of Saturday at the Minapur border in Thakurgaon.

Lieutenant Colonel AKM Zakaria Qadir, the Commander of the Sunamganj-28 BGB Battalion, stated that a Bangladeshi was killed by BSF gunfire while illegally bringing cattle from India. The deceased was identified as Shafiqul Islam (45), a resident of Bhangapara village in Lakshmipur Union.

According to Zahidul Haque, the officer-in-charge of Doarabazar police station, Shafiqul was part of a group of 10 to 12 people who were returning after illegally bringing cattle from India. At that time, members of a BSF patrol team opened fire on them. His companions brought him home in a critically injured state. Later, his relatives took him to the Doarabazar Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor pronounced him dead. Shafiqul had been shot directly in the chest. His body has been sent to the morgue for an autopsy.

In protest of the incident, the BGB has submitted an official protest letter and has called for a flag meeting. Commander Zakaria Qadir also stated that surveillance has been increased at the border.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Moin Hasan, the Commander of the Dinajpur-42 BGB Battalion, reported that a young man was killed by gunfire near border pillar 353 at the Minapur border in Haripur Upazila in the early hours of Saturday. The incident occurred approximately 200 yards inside Indian territory, and the body of the deceased youth remains there.

The victim was identified as Askar Ali (24), a resident of Jibonpur village in Haripur Upazila. Citing local sources, the BGB said that at around 4:00 AM, Askar and several others were near the barbed-wire fence when BSF members from the Kishan Ganj Battalion in India opened fire on them. As a result, Askar was shot and died on the spot.

Following the incident, the BGB has deployed additional troops to strengthen security at the border. Similarly, Indian authorities have reportedly also increased their BSF presence on their side. Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah stated that the BGB has officially called for a flag meeting to retrieve Askar's body. Tension is currently high at the border as both sides await further diplomatic contact.