Two Bangladesh nationals were shot to death by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the borders of two districts in the early hours of Sunday.
It is the first time this year that two Bangladeshis have been killed by BSF in a single day, reports UNB.
In Satkhira, the BSF gunned down a Bangladeshi man near the Khaitala border in Sadar upazila.
The victim was Hasanur Rahman, 25, of Kushkhali village.
Although there has been no official acknowledgement from the Indian side, a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) commander confirmed the matter.
The incident occurred around 4:00am in the Koijuri area on the Indian side of the border.
Hasanur's father Haider Ali said his son crossed into India a few days ago to visit a relative because he did not have a passport.
“While he was returning home early Sunday, alongside a few other companions, a BSF patrol from Koijuri Camp opened fire on them. Hasanur was critically injured in the shooting."
Later, Hasanur's companions managed to drag him to Bangladesh territory and admitted him to Satkhira General Hospital around 6:00am.
As his condition worsened, he was referred to Khulna Surgical Hospital where he was declared dead upon arrival at 7:00am, Haider added.
Satkhira-33 BGB Commander Lt Col Mohammad Al Mahmud said, "When the BSF was asked about Hasanur's death, they denied the firing. We have invited them for a flag meeting. Once we have the meeting, we will learn more about the death."
It was learnt that there has been no word back from the BSF on when or where the meeting might take place.
In Chuadanga, the BSF shot and killed another Bangladeshi man at Boldiya border in Damurhuda upazila.
The killing was confirmed by a BGB official.
The victim, said to be a cattle trader, was identified as Muntaj Hossain alias Jahangir, 32, from Boldiay School Para.
Lt Col Shah Mohammad Istiaq, director of BGB-6 battalion, said that the BSF fired around 5:00am when Muntaj went to India to bring cattle through the border opposite the demarcation pillar number 82, leaving him dead on the spot.
He said the body was still on the Indian side of the border separated by the barbed wire fence.
AHM Lutful Kabir, officer-in-charge of Darshana police station, said they were aware of the matter.
Ain o Salish Kendra data till September showed that the BSF killed 18 Bangladeshis till the start of last month in 2022.
The declared aspiration of both countries to bring the contentious issue of border killings i.e. Bangladeshis getting killed by the Indian border force along the over 4,096km international border they share 'down to zero', remains a pipe dream.
