BSF fires 4 blank rounds from sound gun near Satkhira border

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) fired four blank rounds from a sound gun at the Shivtala area opposite the Ghojadanga border near the Bhomra border in Satkhira. 

The incident has caused concern among residents on the Bangladeshi side of the border.

Local resident Lutfor Rahman said, "During the Fajr prayer at dawn, I heard the sound of several gunshots. The Indian BSF fired blank rounds from the opposite side of the border."

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel patrolling the area confirmed the incident and said, "The BSF fired four blank rounds from a sound gun."

Earlier, on Saturday (11 January), the BSF obstructed farmer, Nazrul Islam, from cultivating his land near the Lakshidari border in Bhomra. 

"I have been cultivating the land for 30 years but was prevented by the BSF from planting paddy on five katha of land on Saturday," he said. 

A battalion-level flag meeting was held between the BGB and BSF over the matter. 

It was decided that a joint survey by both countries' survey departments would be conducted on 15 January to resolve the issue.

In response to these incidents, the BGB has heightened vigilance and intensified border patrols.

Meanwhile, since yesterday (12 January) tensions between the BGB and India's BSF have flared as India attempted to build a fence on the 150-yard no-man's-land between the countries, in breach of international laws.

Bangladesh halted India's construction of fencing in several zero-line areas along the Bangladesh-India border.

"Bangladesh did it as it's a violation of international law," Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said yesterday.

India also summoned Bangladesh's acting High Commissioner in New Delhi Md Nural Islam over border-related issues today (13 January).