Despite his promise, BGB soldier Belal never made it home for Eid

He leaves behind his wife and two young daughters, the youngest just 18 months old

Just days before Eid, when his family had been expecting his return, Mohammad Belal Hossain came home earlier than planned.

But the joy that should have filled his house was replaced with mourning.

Belal, a 28-year-old soldier of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), had told his family he would be home for Eid on Mar 25.

He had even sent money ahead so his family members could buy new clothes for the upcoming festival.

But instead of a warm homecoming, his lifeless body arrived two days early.

The soldier died in the wee hours of Saturday while trying to prevent a boat carrying Rohingya refugees from entering Bangladesh near Shahparir Dwip, a small island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.

His body was recovered from the Bay of Bengal on Sunday afternoon, drifting in the waters near the Golarchar area.

On Monday, his village Kaziatol, located in the Muradnagar Upazila, was in mourning.

Inside his home, his wife, Roksana Khanam, and his parents were inconsolable.

His mother, overwhelmed by grief, had fallen silent.

His father, Bazlur Rahman, wept as he recalled their last conversation.

“My son said he would come home for Eid,” Rahman said.

“He told me over the phone that his leave was approved and that we should buy whatever we wanted. He was coming home.”

With tears streaming down his face, he added: “Allah took my son. How did my son die? I want to know how he died.”

The family learnt of his disappearance from the two BGB officers on Saturday afternoon.

Belal’s brother, Nazmul Hasan, recalled the moment with a trembling voice.

“Two people from the BGB came to our house on Saturday afternoon. They told us my brother Belal went missing while rescuing Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf. They said his body had not been found yet,” he said.

“The next day, we went to the Cumilla BGB camp, and that’s when we heard—they had found my brother’s body in the Rakhine area.”

Belal leaves behind his wife and two young daughters, the youngest just 18 months old.

“It was decided that he would come home after taking leave on Mar 25,” Roksana said, her voice breaking.

“He was supposed to celebrate Eid with us. But now he has taken leave forever, leaving me alone with two children.”

Muradnagar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md Abdur Rahman confirmed Belal’s death.

“We have received reports of a BGB soldier’s passing in Teknaf,” he said.

“We are keeping track of the situation and will follow the government’s directives.”