A Border Security Force (BSF) soldier was killed and another was seriously injured when their patrol came under fire from the Bangladeshi Border Guards after a flag meeting along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Murshidabad.
The BSF in a statement said, “This morning, three Indian fishermen went fishing in River Padma in the border area. Two fishermen returned and approached the Kakmarichar BSF post, saying that the Border Guard Bangladesh had apprehended them and later released two of them.”
BSF said the Bangladesh Guards called a flag meeting over the issue.
“Around 1030 hrs, the Post Commander and five troopers approached the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) patrol in a BSF boat. During the flag meeting, the BGB patrol not only refused to release the Indian fisherman but also tried to cordon the BSF troops. Sensing that the situation is worsening, the BSF party immediately returned. BGB troops opened fire on the returning BSF party.”
Both soldiers were evacuated to the nearest medical facility. Upon their arrival, Head Constable Vijay Bhan Singh was declared dead on arrival. The injured soldier is being treated in a hospital.
Vijay Singh was a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad.
BSF chief VK Johri later called up his Bangladesh counterpart Major General Shafiul Islam over a hotline, apprising him of the incident. The Bangladesh counterpart has assured a probe into the incident.
Relations between the two border forces have been cordial for decades and this incident is worrisome.