BSF shoots Bangladeshi dead

A Bangladeshi youth was shot dead by the members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in the bordering area of Lalmonirhat's Patgram upazila.

The victim is Rifat Hossain, 34, of the upazila's Jagatber union.

Members of Cooch Behar 140 BSF Battalion's Chuangarkhata BSF camp's patrolling team opened fire on the youth early yesterday, confirmed Belal Hossain, commander of Shamsernagar BGB Company Camp.

BSF took the victim's body and handed it over to Mathabhanga police in India.

According to BGB, Rifat's body was left near the Main Pillar No 862 of Shamsernagar-Kanirbari border for several hours.

Shah Alam, a member of Jagatber Union Parishad, said locals heard several gunshots at the border early yesterday.

Later, along with BGB members, they went to the border and noticed Rifat's body. The body had bullet marks on its neck and back.

Initially, the locals suspected that Rifat was a member of a local cattle smuggling racket, the UP member added.

Shamsernagar BGB Company Commander Belal Hossain said preparations were underway to hold a flag meeting with BSF to get the body back.