West Bengal: BSF troops gun down smuggler on Indo-Bangla border

The Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead an alleged smuggler in West Bengal's North Dinajpur district during an encounter on the Indo-Bangladesh border, officials said on Thursday.

The encounter took place along the International Border in West Bengal's North Dinajpur's Raiganj, Murshidabad district.

A senior BSF officer informed that on Wednesday at 9.05 pm, the BSF team was performing night domination duties along the International Boundary of border outpost Hariharpur of Sector Raiganj in West Bengal.

While performing their duties they observed around 10 Bangladeshi smugglers armed with sharp-edged weapons approaching the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) fence from either side (India and Bangladesh) with a criminal intention of smuggling activity by violating the sanctity of International Boundary as well as in contravention to prohibitory orders of movement along the designated areas.

Upon being challenged, the armed smugglers began moving aggressively and encircled the BSF team. BSF personnel first lobbed a Stun Grenade to disperse the BD smugglers and also fired two rounds of Pump Action Gun.

But it did not have any effect on the Bangladeshi smugglers, and one of them attempted to snatch the INSAS rifle of one of the BSF personnel with the rest of the miscreants tried to attack BSF personnel with sharp-edged weapons (Dahs).

Sensing imminent danger to their own life, the BSF personnel fired in self-defence from his personal weapon resulting in the death of one of the Bangladeshi miscreants. On being fired upon, the remaining smugglers fled towards Bangladesh under cover of darkness and undulating ground.

In search of the area, a wire cutter, an Iron Dah, three packets of Tortoise Skin, 50 bottles of Phensedyl, 25 bottles of M K Dyl, 25 Bottles of Fairdyl, two Mobile phones and four bamboo sticks were also recovered. The encounter took place just 125 meters from IB, inside Indian territory.

BSF has informed Gangarampur police station of North Dinajpur (WB) has been informed for necessary action. Border Guards Bangladesh has been approached for the conduct of Flag Meeting.

( With inputs from ANI )

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