Youth shot dead by BSF at Lalmonirhat border

A Bangladeshi youth shot by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Hatibandha border in Lalmonirhat died at a hospital in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district around 10:00pm last night.

Noor Islam, commander of the Singimari BGB Camp under 61 BGB Battalion, confirmed the death.

"A letter has been given to the BSF to return the body through a flag meeting," he said.

The youth was identified as Hasibul Alam, 24, son of Jahidul Islam of Madhya Singimari border in Hatibandha upazila.

According to witnesses and locals, BSF members shot Hasibul near Sub-Pillar 6-S of Main Pillar No 894 on the Madhya Singimari border in Hatibandha upazila yesterday noon.

After being shot, BSF members took him to India. He was collecting grass near the no-man's land on the border, said locals.

Witnesses said Hasibul and some other youths were collecting grass for cattle near the no-man's land. At that time, BSF members of the Nagar Singimari camp opened fire.

Hasibul was shot and fell to the ground while the other youths quickly fled.

Local farmer Nawsher Ali said he was also working in his paddy field near the border. "The incident happened in front of my eyes. BSF members took away Hasibul, who was seriously injured," he said.

Mahmudun-Nabi, officer-in-charge of Hatibandha Police Station, said after watching a video from India last night, it was confirmed that Hasibul had died.