Man injured in BSF firing at Chapainawabganj border

A Bangladeshi man was injured in firing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Chapainawabganj border around 11:30am today (25 January).

The injured, identified as Habil Uddin, was first taken to Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital, and later shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH).

Dr Shankar K Biswas, emergency medical officer and spokesperson at RMCH said, "The injured individual sustained a gunshot wound on the right side of his back. He has been admitted to Ward 2 of the Surgery Department."

The injured is the son of Bilal Uddin from Telkupi village in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj.

"Initial assessments suggest there is a bullet lodged in his back, but there might be more than one. The exact number of bullets will be confirmed after surgery. However, he is conscious and his condition remains stable for now," Dr Biswas added.

Speaking to journalists from his hospital bed, injured Habil said he was a farmer. At around 5:30am, he went to irrigate his field. 

"Using a motor pump located near the Bangladesh-India border, I was watering the field in heavy fog that limited visibility. Without any prior warning or signal, BSF personnel suddenly fired at me, hitting me in the back," he said.

Nearby farmers quickly came to his aid and ensured his safety, he added.

Meanwhile, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) issued a press release, stating, "At approximately 3:30-3:40am yesterday within the jurisdiction of Telkupi Border Outpost [BOP] under the Mahananda Battalion [59 BGB], 7-8 identified Bangladeshi smugglers crossed the Indian border to engage in smuggling, taking advantage of heavy fog, about 150 yards inside Indian territory."

The press statement added, "The BSF patrol team fired 2-3 rounds targeting them. Upon hearing the gunshots, the BGB patrol team immediately rushed to the spot, but the Bangladeshi smugglers fled back into Bangladeshi territory."

"Later, it was learned through sources that an identified smuggler, Md Habil, was injured by BSF gunfire and is undergoing treatment in Rajshahi," read the BGB statement. 

The press release further mentioned that between approximately 3am-4am, no Bangladeshi farmers were present within the 5km border area under the jurisdiction of Telkupi BOP mentioned above. 

Additionally, two BGB patrol teams, led by the Telkupi BOP commander, were actively patrolling the area. 

Following the incident, the BGB lodged a strong protest with the BSF during a company-level flag meeting.