BGB says Companiganj man killed by Khasi group inside Indian territory

The deceased, identified as 30-year-old Saleh Ahmed Joydhar, is believed to have crossed the border for “drug smuggling”

Members of the Khasi community in India have reportedly shot and killed a Bangladeshi man who crossed the border into India’s Meghalaya through Sylhet’s Companiganj Upazila.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said the incident occurred late Thursday night in a betel nut grove approximately one kilometre inside Indian territory.

The deceased was identified as 30-year-old Saleh Ahmed Joydhar, a resident of Karbalartuk village near Dayarbazar in Companiganj.

Lt Col Md Nazmul Haque, commander of BGB Sylhet Battalion-48, said Saleh and two associates had crossed the border around 8:30pm to retrieve a drug consignment.

"They were positioned between the Chengket and Markan groves when members of the local Khasi community spotted them,” he said.

“Suspecting them to be betel nut thieves, the Khasis fired several rounds from pellet guns. Saleh was hit and died on the spot," the commander added.

His associates--Md Suman Mia of Nazirgaon and Md Masum Ahmed of Karbalartuk--carried the body back into Bangladesh territory following the shooting.

Citing local sources, Nazmul noted that all three individuals had prior involvement in cross-border smuggling.