BSF says troops opened fire in self-defence after alleged stone-pelting near the India-Bangladesh border
Two suspected Bangladeshi smugglers were killed during a firing incident involving the Border Security Force (BSF) near the India-Bangladesh international border in Tripura’s Sepahijala district, officials said on Saturday.
The deceased were identified as Nabir Hussain, 40, and Md Mursalin, 22. Their bodies were later handed over to Bangladeshi authorities following post-mortem examinations and in the presence of officials from both sides.
According to official sources, BSF personnel on routine night patrol spotted a group of suspected smugglers allegedly attempting to move goods from the Indian side into Bangladesh near the zero point along the border.
The troops reportedly challenged the group and repeatedly warned them not to advance. However, the suspected smugglers allegedly ignored the warnings and began pelting stones and bricks at the BSF personnel.
Sources said the jawans initially exercised restraint and asked the group to disperse. As the situation allegedly turned violent, the personnel fired a few rounds from Pump Action Guns (PAG) in self-defence, injuring the two men.
The injured were rushed to government hospitals, where doctors later declared them dead.
The incident briefly triggered tension in the border area before authorities from both countries coordinated to complete formal procedures.
Officials said the episode once again underlined the continuing security challenges along the India-Bangladesh border, where infiltration, smuggling, human trafficking and narcotics movement remain major concerns despite heightened surveillance and fencing efforts. Tripura alone shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh.
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