Dhaka, April 17 (BDNEWS) – Two Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were among the dead in Saturday's skirmishes between the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and the BSF along the Akhaura border.
The dead BSF men have been identified as Assistant Company Commander Zian Kumar, 35, and Constable KK Surendra. They were killed inside 300 yards and 250 yards of Bangladesh territory during the gunfight, BDR sources said.
BDR's Commander of the Seven Riffle Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kamruzzaman Sunday handed the bodies to BSF's Commanding Officer Mrittunjoay Kumar.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka Sonday protested the killing of the BSF men.
A tense situation has been prevailing along the border as the BDR and the BSF fortified their positions with heavy weapons such as mortars and machineguns.
About 20,000 fear-stricken villagers have abandoned their border side houses to take shelter at safe distances at Akhaura sadar, said police and local administration.
Meantime, sector commanders of both BDR and BSF met Sunday evening following the clash to pacify the situation. Sector Commander Colonel Jahangir led the BDR side while DIG RK Chowdhury represented the BSF team. The outcome of the meeting could not known as of 8:00pm Sunday night.
Earlier, the BDR and the BSF held two flag meetings on Saturday following the fight that left three – the two BSF men and a ten-year-old Bangladeshi girl -- dead.
BDR sources and villagers alleged that after the bloodshed a number of Bangladeshi nationals have been missing.
According to locals, the BDR personnel of Fakirmora Camp picked up an Indian, Ramdhan Pal, 50, when he tried to enter Bangladesh. Immediately, a BSF team led by Company Commander Jeevan Kumar raided 400 yards inside Bangladesh territory and tried to snatch away Ramdhan. At one stage, BSF soldiers opened fire prompting the BDR to retaliate.
Locals said the BSF members also raided Hirapur village and vandalised six houses and looted gold ornaments and cash. As the BDR men tried to resist them, the BSF soldiers opened fire.
Shishu Miah, 40, of Hirpur village alleged that his wife and children have been missing after the skirmishes.
The land port at Akhaura remained closed due to the tension, said Syed Kamruzzaman, Commanding Officer of Seven Riffles Battalion. All educational institutions remained closed, too.
BDNEWS/2025 hrs
