Bangladeshi shot dead after crossing Lalmonirhat border

A Bangladeshi man was shot dead today by India's Border Security Force (BSF) after he crossed the Shamsher Nagar border in Lalmonirhat's Patgram upazila, said a Border Guard Bangladesh official.

BSF has taken the body of Shahadat Hossain, 28, to India, said Liakaat Hossain Babul, Shamsher Nagar border outpost commander of BGB 61 battalion.

A letter has been sent to BSF protesting the shooting and requesting that his body be handed over through a flag meeting, Liakaat said.

The incident happened near sub pillar 8 of main pillar 863 of the border around 5:00am.

The victim is the son of Idris Ali of Auliarhat area of the upazila.

The camp commander said some Bangladeshis, including Shahadat, went into India illegally to bring cows.

The victim's father said his son was previously not involved in cow smuggling, and that some local cow smugglers took Shahadat away from home on Wednesday night.

Liakaat also said BSF members from 169 Raninagar BSF Battalion in Cooch Behar district opened fire on the Bangladeshis.

Shahadat was shot and died on the spot, while his companions fled back to Bangladesh.

Officials from India's Mekhliganj Police Station's recovered the body with the help of BSF yesterday morning, said the BGB official.