BGB fires 2 blank shots to foil border intrusion attempt in Lalmonirhat

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members fired two blank shots to disperse a group of suspected Indian smugglers attempting to enter Bangladesh through the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat early Friday.

The incident took place around 2:30 AM in the West Giarpara border area under Kuchlibari union of Patgram upazila. However, no casualties were reported.

According to a BGB press release, a patrol team from Kolsimukh Border Outpost (BOP) under Rangpur Battalion (51 BGB) was conducting routine patrol duties near main pillar 806 when they spotted a group of suspected Indian smugglers attempting to enter around 200 yards inside Bangladeshi territory after crossing beyond the Indian barbed-wire fence.

The BGB team initially challenged the group and warned them against illegal intrusion. However, the suspects allegedly ignored repeated warnings and continued advancing towards the patrol members.

To bring the situation under control and disperse the intruders, the patrol team, under the command of Nayeb Subedar Rafiqul Islam and following instructions from higher authorities, fired two blank shots.

Following the gunfire, the suspected smugglers fled back into Indian territory, BGB said.

Confirming the incident, Lt Col Naziur Rahman, commanding officer of Rangpur 51 BGB responsible for the Patgram border, said the group attempted to enter Bangladesh after crossing beyond the Indian border fence.

AM