Bangladeshi Smuggler Killed At Tripura Border As BSF Jawan Fires In Self Defence After Assault: Sources

At around 6 pm on October 7, a group of 12-15 Bangladeshi smugglers, armed with sharp weapons, attempted to cross into the Indian territory to smuggle contraband.

Representational image of the India-Bangladesh fenced border.

Source : PTI

There was tension along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura Monday when a group of suspected Bangladeshi smugglers crossed into the Indian territory and assaulted a Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Salpokar, Gokul Nagar. Sources said the incident occurred around 6 pm when 12-15 smugglers, armed with sharp weapons, attempted to smuggle contraband across the border.

BSF jawans on duty spotted the group infiltrating and raised an alert, summoning backup. The smugglers, however, overpowered one of the jawans and launched a violent assault, according to the sources. 

In an attempt to deter the attackers, a BSF jawan fired a warning shot into the air at a distance of about 40 metres, prompting some of the smugglers to flee back across the border into Bangladesh. However, some of them remained and encircled one of the jawans, assaulting him with a sharp-edged weapon ("dah"), the sources said.

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BSF Jawan Fires In Self-Defence  

The surrounded jawan, recognising the imminent threat to his life, fired two rounds from his service weapon, causing the remaining smugglers to retreat into Bangladesh. Upon further inspection, BSF personnel discovered the body of one Bangladeshi smuggler who succumbed to injuries in the encounter.

According to the sources, the jawan who faced the brunt of the assault sustained multiple injuries, including cuts on his left arm, bruises to his neck, and other internal injuries. Additionally, his rifle was damaged during the struggle. 

He is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries.

This is not the first time that Bangladeshi nationals have been caught trying to infiltrate into India. In a similar incident reported in August this year, a smuggler was killed near the Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Malda.  

The incidents have seen an increased after the regime change in the neighbouring country In August that saw an ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The BSF had in August banned 11 Bangladeshi nationals trying to cross over to India through the international border in Tripura, West Bengal, and Meghalaya.