Death toll from BSF firing along Feni border climbs to two

The number of Bangladeshis killed in alleged Indian Border Security Force (BSF) firing along Parshuram border of Feni district early Friday rose to two following the death of the injured youth.

The latest deceased Md Liton, 32, was son of Gachhi Mia of Bashpaduya village under Parshuram upazila. Earlier 21-year-old Millat Hossain, son of Yusuf Miah of the same village died.

Moreover, another Bangladeshi named Md Afsar, 31, son of Ayer Ahmed from the same area, sustained bullet injuries in the incident.

According to locals and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the trio allegedly crossed the border near the Gathuma Border Outpost (BOP) area around 1am when BSF members opened fire, injuring them.

Locals could rescue Millat and Afsar and took to Parshuram Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Feni General Hospital, they said.

Millat died on the way while Afsar is undergoing treatment, according to them.

Col Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, commandant of BGB-4 Feni Battalion, said injured Liton was found lying in India territory and he was taken to a local hospital where he died.

A process was underway to bring back his body from India, the BGB commandant said.

A protest note will be sent to the Indian authorities as firing along the border is ‘unacceptable under any circumstances,’ he said.

He also said that they were trying to find out why the Bangladeshis crossed the zero line at that hour.

Millat’s body was kept at the Feni General Hospital morgue for autopsy, added the BGB official.