Tension gripped the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura's Unakoti district after a 24-year-old Bangladeshi smuggler was killed in alleged firing by the Border Security Force (BSF) during an anti-smuggling operation late Saturday night.
The deceased has been identified as Tara Miah (24), a resident of Dashteki village under Prithimpasha area in Kulaura Upazila of Moulvibazar district, Bangladesh. He was the son of Abdul Malek.
According to local sources and BSF officials, the incident occurred at around midnight near the fencing light area close to Border Pillar No. 1845/63-S under the 44 Border Outpost in the Maguruli Gram Panchayat area of Gournagar RD Block along the India-Bangladesh border.
Sources said a group of five to six Bangladeshi smugglers attempted to cross the international border carrying various smuggled goods. Despite repeated warnings from the BSF personnel on duty, the group reportedly refused to stop or retreat from the border area.
The BSF stated that its personnel were compelled to open fire to bring the situation under control. Tara Miah sustained serious bullet injuries and reportedly died on the spot.
Following the incident, personnel of the BSF and Irani police station of Kailashahar reached the spot and completed the necessary legal formalities. The body was later recovered and shifted to Unakoti District Hospital for post-mortem examination. It is currently being kept in the hospital mortuary.
Confirming the development, Dr. Imran Ahmed, the duty medical officer at Unakoti District Hospital, said, "At around 11 AM of Sunday, the body of a deceased Bangladeshi national was brought to Kailashahar District Hospital. The body has been preserved in the mortuary, and the necessary legal procedures are being followed."
Authorities are continuing the legal process, while further investigation into the incident is underway.