BSF neutralizes armed Bangladeshi smuggler sensing danger to life and govt property

New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI): In a tense confrontation with a group of armed Bangladeshi smugglers, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday morning neutralized one of them near India-Bangladesh border fence, approximately 150 yards inside Indian territory in West Tripura.

As per a BSF statement, one of the personnel of the border guarding force deployed on the Border Out Post Kalamchera fired the bullet on the smugglers “sensing imminent danger to life and government property in self-defence.”

The identity of the deceased was reliably learnt to be one Anwar Hussain, 35, a resident of Mirpur in Bangladesh’s Comilla district.

“On 9th June, 2024, at about 0730 hrs, BSF troops while dominating the area of BOP Kalamchera, observed a large group of smugglers, armed with sharp edged weapons on either side of border fence, attempting to smuggle goods across the International Border,” stated the BSF statement.

“When challenged to stop, the smugglers didn’t pay any heed and got aggressive and tried to encircle the BSF Jawan on duty with an intent to assault him and snatch his personal weapon. Sensing imminent danger to life and government property, BSF Jawan fired 1 round of PAG in self-defence,” reads the BSF statement.

Use of non-lethal weapon further emboldened the smugglers and they continued with their aggressive action, it further said.

“A brief scuffle ensued, during which Constable Rajeev Kumar, sensing a threat to his life and weapon, was compelled to fire one round from his INSAS rifle. Resultantly one Bangladeshi smuggler got killed close to the border fence and about 150 yards inside the Indian Territory,” said the BSF.

Subsequently, the BSF said, a thorough search of the area was carried out and huge quantity of sugar, four machetes and wooden planks were recovered from the area of incident.

The BSF also said that a similar incident occurred on June 2 in the same area where the same Bangladeshi smugglers brutally assaulted one BSF constable, attempted to drag him towards the Bangladesh side and also snatched his personal weapon (PAG) and radio set.

The force later added that it remains firmly committed to maintain peace and tranquillity along the Bangladesh border and continues to work closely with Border Guards Bangladesh.