Bangladeshi killed by BSF in Lalmonirhat

-- One killed, five injured

-- Victims are not cattle smugglers: BGB

-- Flag meeting called

A Bangladeshi national was killed and five others sustained bullet injuries as Indian Border Security Force (BSF) members opened fire in Lalmonirhat last night.

The BSF men crossed the no man’s land while chasing a group of cattle traders around 8:30pm, our Lalmonirhat correspondent reports quoting Lt Col Bazlur Rahman Hayati, commanding officer of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion-15.

However, the cattle traders managed to escape before the BSF men opened fire at Durgapur border in Aditmari upazila in which Rahim and five other residents of Chawratari village of the upazila sustained bullet injuries, the BGB official said.

Lt Col Bazlur Rahman also claimed: “The victims are not cattle smugglers.”

Rahim was rushed to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital. Later, he succumbed to his injuries on way to Rangpur Medical College Hospital around 11:30pm, the BGB official added.

Injured Sultan Mia, 42, his wife Shahida Begum, 37, their son Sumon Islam, 18, and one Saju Mia, 36, are receiving treatment at local clinics.

“We have lodged a strong protest with our Indian counterparts and called for a flag meeting over the incident,” he said.

“A flag meeting will be held later in the day on Durgapur border,” he added.