AGARTALA: A Bangladeshi national was found dead near the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura’s Unakoti district after BSF personnel allegedly opened fire at a group of smugglers who had entered Indian territory and attempted to assault them, police said on Sunday.
The incident occurred near Border Pillar No. 1847, close to Gate No. 47 in Ward No. 3 of Magruli Gram Panchayat, after midnight on Sunday.
Unakoti Superintendent of Police Rishab said the group allegedly crossed the international border and entered Indian territory, stopping ahead of the border fence. They reportedly attempted to assault BSF personnel on patrol duty with an iron dao and a cricket bat.
According to the SP, the BSF personnel initially used other methods to deter the group but later opened fire as per established procedure. The group subsequently fled towards Bangladesh.
During a search of the area, BSF personnel found a Bangladeshi national dead along with articles suspected to have been used during the confrontation.
Local sources identified the deceased as around 30-year-old Tara Mia of Dastekhi in Bangladesh. Preliminary reports suggested that the group was allegedly involved in smuggling Burmese cigarettes, but police have not officially confirmed either his identity or the alleged smuggling activity.
A police team reached the spot after being informed about the incident, and further legal proceedings were initiated.
Security was subsequently heightened in the Magruli border area as authorities examined the circumstances surrounding the alleged intrusion, confrontation and death.
