Bangladeshi youth shot dead by BSF at Lalmonirhat border

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot a Bangladeshi youth to death today at the Shamsher Nagar border in Lalmonirhat's Patgram upazila.

The deceased was identified as Rifat Hossain (34), son of Islam Hossain of Patgram upazila's Jagatbar union, reports our correspondent quoting Jagatbar Union Parishad member Shah Alam.

Shah Alam said, Rifat was initially suspected of being a member of a cattle-smuggling group. Locals heard several rounds of gunfire along the border early this morning. Later, Shah Alam along with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and locals went to the spot.

Commander of Shamsher Nagar BGB Company of Rangpur-61 BGB Battalion, Belal Hossain, said that members of a patrol team of 140 BSF Battalion's Chuangarkhata camp opened fire at the border this morning.

Rifat's body was later found, on the Indian side, near main pillar number 862 of Shamsher Nagar border around 10am. His body was handed over to BSF, Belal said.

Belal Hossain also stated that plans are being made to hold a flag meeting with Chenakata Company Commander of Cooch Behar's 140 BSF Battalion in order to get the body back by this evening.