Bangladeshi farmer injured in BSF firing, BGB returns fire
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A Bangladeshi farmer named Sahajul (40), was injured in firing by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the Jamalpur border in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia. Following the incident, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) returned fire along the border.
Meanwhile, amid tensions following the incident, local residents apprehended an Indian national and handed him over to the BGB. The incidents have heightened tensions in the border area.
The incident occurred around 9:30 am on Saturday near the zero-line adjacent to international border pillar 152/10-S along the Jamalpur border in the upazila. The injured Sahajul is the son of Sabaj and a resident of the area.
According to the BGB, Sahajul was cutting grass on his own land approximately 300 yards inside India from the Bangladesh border opposite the Jamalpur Border Outpost (BOP). At the time, a patrol team from the nursery camp of India’s 146 BSF Battalion fired one round of pellet ammunition at him. He sustained pellet injuries from his waist to his heels.
According to local sources, tensions erupted on the Bangladesh side of the border after news spread that the farmer had been shot. During the incident, local residents apprehended another Indian national named Kajal Ghosh (30), and handed him over to the BGB.
Lieutenant Colonel Rashed Kamal Roni, commander of the Kushtia Battalion (47 BGB), said the BGB was performing its duties vigilantly to address any untoward situation along the border and ensure the country’s sovereignty and the safety of people living in border areas. He added that people were also being made aware of the need to refrain from unauthorized activities to maintain stability along the border.
Tensions continue in the Jamalpur border area following the incident. Local residents are monitoring the injured farmer’s medical treatment, the next steps regarding the detained Indian national and the authorities’ response to the border situation.
