6 Bangladeshis hurt as BSF fires rubber bullets

Six Bangladeshis were wounded when Indian Border Security Force (BSF) fired rubber bullets on them at Madla frontier in Brahmanbaria's Kasba upazila on Friday evening. 

BSF personnel also picked up a Bangladeshi man, Khaleq Mia, 70, from the area.

Four of the six injured were identified as residents of Madla village. They are Shahjahan Mia, 55, his son Tushar, 16, Faruk Mia, 25, Nannu Mia, 57, and his son Rasel Mia, 20.

Afterwards, a flag meeting was held between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the BSF battalion, following a letter sent by BGB protesting the incident. After the meeting, BSF returned Khaleque and BGB gave back a rifle left at the spot by BSF members.

Confirming the incident, Major Md Saiful Islam, acting commanding officer of 60 Border Guard Bangladesh Battalion, said the injured were rescued by locals and admitted to Kasba Upazila Health Complex.

Pranab Kanti Debnath, the on-duty doctor at the complex, said the four were treated there, adding that they had been shot with rubber bullets.

Later, two of the wounded -- Shahjahan and Faruk -- were sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for further treatment as bullets had lodged deep into their body.

Saiful said a group of cattle traders were trying to enter India from Bangladesh through the border near pillar no 2048/78 when a patrol team of 74 BSF Battalion chased them and opened fire, leaving the six injured.

However, the other members of the group managed to flee.