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BSF regrets killing of civilians, says BDR

DHAKA: India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has expressed regret over the killing of three Bangladeshi civilians, including a minor boy, in northern Tetulia of Panchagarh, said officials of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR).

At a flag meeting with the BDR on Monday, the BSF assured it that such incidents would not recur.

The meeting, held at zero line near the border in Tetulia, decided that an injured BSF personnel caught by the villagers would be handed back after treatment.

The BDR team at the meeting was led by Col. Aftabul Islam of the Rangpur sector and the BSF team by R. Chandra Mohan from the Kishanganj camp in India.

The BDR officials of Pachagarh 25 Battalion said at least eight to 10 drunken BSF personnel from the Nayabari camp in India entered Maynaguri village near the Majhipara border, at least 500 metres inside Bangladesh, after 10 p.m. on Sunday and ransacked several houses.

When the villagers protested, the intruders entered the house of one Shahidul Islam and fired indiscriminately, leaving three people killed and one injured.

The deceased were identified as Mazeda Begum, 25, her one-year-old son Mamun, and Golam Mostafa, 45, a neighbour.

Mazeda’s husband, Shahidul Islam, who suffered bullet injuries, and the BSF member held by villagers, were rushed to hospital. Shahidul’s condition is said to be critical.

Maj. Sheikh Farid, in-charge of the Panchagarh 25 BDR Battalion, said, “we have protested against the BSF firing. It’s a serious border violation by them.”

Bangladesh strongly protested against the killing of innocent villagers by the BSF and the illegal intrusion by Indian border guards.

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