Bangladeshi man killed, another injured in BSF firing at Feni border

Locals suspect the two men had crossed the barbed-wire fence to smuggle in goods from India

A Bangladeshi man has been killed and another injured in firing by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the border in Feni's Parshuram Upazila, according to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

The incident occurred in the Bashpaduya border area late on Thursday night, according to Lt Col Mosharraf Hossain, commander of BGB Battalion-4 in Feni.

The dead man has been identified as 21-year-old Md Millat Hossain and the injured as 31-year-old Md Afsar, both residents of Bashpaduya village in Parshuram.

According to the BGB, Millat and Afsar crossed border pillar 2164/3-S under the Guthuma BOP and entered Indian territory near the barbed-wire fence when BSF members opened fire on them. Both were hit and collapsed to the ground. Locals subsequently rescued them in critical condition and took them to Parshuram Upazila Health Complex.

They were later transferred to Feni General Hospital for advanced treatment. Millat died on the way, while Afsar is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Millat's body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy.

Locals say the Guthuma border is a known route for smuggling from India, with frequent crossings of drugs and Indian goods. It is suspected that the two men had crossed the barbed-wire fence to receive smuggled goods.

“Upon receiving information that Bangladeshi nationals had been shot by the BSF, BGB members immediately visited the scene. An investigation is underway to determine why the two men crossed the zero line at such a late hour,” Lt Col Mosharraf said.

He added that a protest note will be sent to the BSF regarding the incident.