Two killed in BGB firing

Two people were killed as members of Border Guard Bangladesh opened fire on a group of cattle traders along Jaluli border in Maheshpur upazila during a clash last night.

Lt Col Jahangir Hossain, commanding officer of BGB battalion-26 in Jessore, told The Daily Star that some 50-60 traders along with the cattle brought from India were crossing Matila village near the border around 7:00pm.

The traders swooped on a BGB patrol team with sharp weapons the moment they were stopped there, prompting the BGB personnel to fire shots in self-defence, he said.

Rafiqul Islam, 35, owner of a local tea stall, died on the spot, said Jadabpur Union Parishad Chairman Azizur Rahman.

Lt Col Jahangir said one Feroz Hossain, 28, succumbed to his wounds at Jhenidah Upazila Health Complex later.

The other injured -- Abdul Khalek, 45, Babul Hossain, 42, and Azibor Rahman, 30, of the village -- were being treated at hospitals.