BSF shoots 2 Bangladeshis dead

Two Bangladeshis died of bullet wounds after being shot by Indian Border Security Force on Betna border in the district's Haripur upazila early yesterday

The victims -- Najir Uddin and Rabiul Islam, both aged 30, -- were residents of Manikkhari village in Haripur upazila and Mashaldangi village in Baliadangi upazila respectively.

Quoting locals, Haripur Police Station OC Awrangajeb said the two were hit by bullets when members of Koaligar BSF camp opened fire on a group of 7-8 Bangladeshis near the border pillar no-367/2-s around 6:30am. The group was trying to enter India without valid documents.

Soon after the shooting, the fellow Bangladeshis somehow managed to rescue the injured.

Rabiul died of his injuries on way to Mashaldangi village while Najir Uddin breathed his last on way to M Abdur Rahim Medical College Hospital in Dinajpur, the OC added.

Speaking to The Daily Star over the phone, Commanding Officer of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion 50 Lt Colonel Shahidul Islam said a company commander-level flag meeting between the BGB and BSF was held at the Zero line at the same border over the issue around 2:00pm yesterday.

In the meeting, BGB officials strongly protested the killings. However, BSF officers claimed their members opened fire after being attacked by Bangladeshi men while entering India through the border illegally, the CO added.

Police filed a case with Haripur Police Station in this connection. The bodies were sent to Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital for autopsies.