BGB injures alleged Indian smuggler, BSF detains Bangladeshi youth

Tension continued along the Bangladesh-India border despite a recent Director General-level Border Coordination Conference in New Delhi, where both sides pledged to maintain peace, stability, and security.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said an Indian smuggler was injured in BGB firing in the Baralekha border area of Moulvibazar at around 8:45 pm on Saturday while the force was conducting regular patrol activities.

The Bianibazar Battalion (52 BGB) said two suspected Indian smugglers entered Bangladesh territory and were challenged by BGB personnel.

According to the BGB, the two men attempted to attack the patrol team with sharp weapons after being challenged.

In response, BGB members fired two rounds in self-defence and to bring the situation under control, leaving one of the suspected smugglers injured.

The BGB said the injured man and his accomplice quickly fled back into India.

It added that intelligence inquiries and legal procedures related to the incident are underway.

Meanwhile, the United News of Bangladesh (UNB) reported that India's Border Security Force (BSF) detained a Bangladeshi youth from the Darshana border area in Chuadanga on Saturday evening.

The detainee was identified as Zulfiqar Ali, 22, son of Kalu Maulvi of Joynagar village in Darshana. He works at a biscuit factory in Ramnagar under Darshana municipality.

The incident occurred near Border Pillar No. 76 adjacent to the Darshana-Gede international checkpoint.

Locals said Zulfiqar had gone to the border area with a group of friends when BSF personnel from the Gede camp chased them and detained him. The others managed to flee.

They alleged that BSF personnel beat Zulfiqar before taking him into Indian territory.

Commander of the 6 BGB Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Nazmul Hasan, told the news agency that preliminary information indicated a group of youths from Joynagar village had attempted to open sections of the security fencing along the Darshana-Gede railway line in the Zero Point area.

"At that time, BSF members conducted a drive and detained Zulfiqar Ali, while the others managed to escape," UNB quoted him as saying.

The BGB official said they had learned that the detainee might be handed over to Indian police.

"Communication is being maintained with the BSF regarding the matter," he added.

In another incident, UNB, quoting locals reported that an attempt by the BSF to push 11 individuals into Bangladesh through the Darshana border in Chuadanga was foiled by the BGB early Sunday.

According to locals, BSF personnel attempted to push eight men and three women into Bangladesh through the border area between main pillars 76 and 77 along the Darshana-Gede frontier in Damurhuda upazila at around 5:00 am.

However, BGB personnel stationed in the area swiftly intervened after noticing the movement and prevented the alleged push-in.

Lt Col Nazmul Hasan, commanding officer of the BGB's 6 Battalion in Chuadanga, said routine patrols, intelligence surveillance, and operational activities were continuing to prevent illegal cross-border activities, including push-in attempts.

The incidents were reported two days after a four-day Director General-level Border Coordination Conference was held at the BSF headquarters in New Delhi from June 8 to 11.