Bangladeshi Killed by BSF Gunfire at Panchagarh Border

A Bangladeshi citizen, Anwar Hossain (36), was killed by gunfire from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in the early hours of Friday, December 6, at the border area of Mominpara in Hadiabasa Union, under the Panchagarh Sadar Upazila. The incident occurred near Main Pillar 751, 8/9 Sub Pillar of the border, close to the India-Bangladesh boundary.

Anwar, a resident of Debnagar Union in Tetulia Upazila, was the son of Rofikul Islam. According to reports, Anwar, along with several other Bangladeshis, had gone to India the previous night to purchase cattle. In the early hours, as they were returning with the cattle, members of BSF’s 93 Battalion from the Chanakia Camp allegedly chased them. The BSF claimed that the Bangladeshis attempted to attack with local weapons, prompting the BSF to open fire in self-defense. Anwar was shot and killed during the incident. The BSF subsequently took his body and confiscated two smuggled cattle.

In response, members of the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) from the nearby Ghagra BGB camp fired eight rounds of blank shots to deter smugglers in the area.

Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Mohammad Badar Uddoja, Commander of the Nilphamari 56 BGB Battalion, confirmed that a flag meeting would be held to return the deceased’s body and to lodge a strong protest against the incident. Following the shooting, the BGB seized a smuggled cow from the Bangladesh side of the border.

Local authorities, elected representatives, and other dignitaries have visited the site of the incident. This tragic event has further escalated tensions between Bangladesh and India, especially in the wake of recent reports of persecution of minorities in India and the arrest of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das.