Kailashahar: A 26-year-old Bangladeshi national was killed in alleged firing by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the India-Bangladesh international border in Tripura’s Unakoti district, triggering tension in the border area.
The incident occurred on Friday evening near Latiapura Gram Panchayat under Irani Police Station in Kailashahar. Police identified the deceased as Mujibur Rahman Mujib (26), a resident of Dattagram village under Sharifpur Union in Kulaura, Moulvibazar district of Bangladesh. His father has been identified as Ajub Ali.
According to preliminary investigations, a group of Bangladeshi nationals allegedly crossed the international border into Indian territory and gathered in the area with the intention of smuggling goods. BSF personnel on patrol reportedly intercepted the group, following which the situation escalated. The BSF allegedly opened fire, leaving Mujibur Rahman dead on the spot with a bullet injury to his chest.
The others accompanying him reportedly fled back into Bangladesh. Local sources claimed that at least three more persons sustained injuries, although there has been no official confirmation.
Following the incident, security personnel recovered a large quantity of bidis allegedly stored for smuggling from the border area. The body was recovered at around 9:30 p.m. on Friday and taken to Unakoti District Hospital at Bhagabannagar in Kailashahar.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Medical Superintendent of Unakoti District Hospital, Dr. Rohan Pal, said the body was brought to the hospital jointly by the BSF and Irani Police. As legal formalities could not be completed on Friday night, the post-mortem examination was conducted on Saturday by a medical team led by forensic expert Dr. Suranjan Das.
Hospital authorities said the exact cause of death would be confirmed after the post-mortem report is prepared. Upon completion of legal procedures, the body will be handed over to the Bangladeshi authorities through a flag meeting between the BSF and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Meanwhile, security has been intensified along the international border. The BSF, local police and the district administration have launched a detailed investigation into the incident.