Two Bangladeshi nationals suspected of involvement in cross-border smuggling were killed after personnel of the Border Security Force opened fire in self-defence along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura’s Sepahijala district , officials said.
The incident occurred between the Nabinpara and Bangaband areas under the Kamalasagar Border Outpost (BOP), a region frequently associated with smuggling activities.
According to BSF officials, a patrol team intercepted a group of around 15 Bangladeshi nationals allegedly attempting to smuggle fish fingerlings from the Indian side across the border. Troops challenged the group and issued repeated warnings, but the smugglers allegedly turned violent and attacked the personnel with stones and bricks.
As the situation escalated and became uncontrollable, BSF personnel fired a few rounds from Pump Action Guns (PAG) in self-defence, injuring several individuals.
Local news outlets initially reported that three Bangladeshi nationals had been killed in the firing. However, later official updates from police and BSF confirmed that two men — Md. Mursalin, 22, a resident of Batenbari village in Bangladesh, and Nabir Hussain, 40, a resident of Madhupur village — succumbed to bullet injuries at Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Hospital. More than 20 others were reportedly injured in the incident.
The injured were rushed to the hospital immediately after the firing, where the two victims were declared dead. Following post-mortem examinations, the bodies were handed over to Bangladeshi authorities through the Border Guards Bangladesh.
Residents and local sources in the border belt alleged that smuggling activities in the area have continued for years, involving fish fingerlings, narcotics, clothes, diesel, and other goods. Some villagers also claimed that whenever BSF intensified anti-smuggling operations or tightened surveillance, influential local figures allegedly attempted to exert pressure on security personnel.
(Image source : Official handle of BSF SDG HQ /for representation purpose only)
