2 killed as BGB opens fire on smugglers

At least two locals were killed and three others injured as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members opened fire after being attacked by smugglers during a raid on a train in Dinajpur this afternoon.

The deceased, Shahin, 28, and Sultan, 24, hailed from Colonypara in Birampur upazila of the district, our local correspondent reports quoting Md Amiruzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Birampur Police Station.

The OC, however, said the deceased are not smugglers.

Meanwhile, Mustafizur Rahman Abu, former municipality councillor, said the deceased are cousins and had been working at a restaurant in the station.

A team of Phulbari 29 BGB Battalion conducted a raid on Saidpur-bound Rupsha Express at Birampur Railway Station around 5:00pm upon information that a gang of smugglers got on the train from Hili station.

As the BGB members seized some smuggling goods, the smugglers attacked the paramilitary force at the platform of the station, said Korban Ali, commanding officer of Phulbari 29 Battalion.

At one stage, the BGB men opened fire in retaliation to take the situation under control, leaving the duo dead on the spot, said the OC.

Three others also sustained injures in the firing, the police officer said, adding that they were taken to Birampur Upazila Health Complex.

Meanwhile, agitated locals have blocked the Dhaka-Dinajpur highway protesting the deaths of two innocent men, the OC said.