Agartala, June 2: A Bangladeshi smuggler was killed in the early hours of Sunday following a violent confrontation with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel along the India-Bangladesh international border near Debipur in the Kailashahar sub-division of Tripura’s Unakoti district.
The clash occurred in a border area between pillars 56 and 57 under the Rangaouti Gram Panchayat, amid heavy rainfall that reduced visibility. According to local sources, a group of Bangladeshi smugglers and miscreants launched an attack on BSF jawans stationed at the border post late on the night of May 31.
Taking advantage of the poor weather conditions, the group allegedly pelted stones and attempted to assault BSF personnel with sharp weapons. Despite repeated warnings, the attackers persisted, prompting the BSF to open fire in self-defence.
One of the smugglers, later identified as Pradip Baidya, aged between 20 and 22, was struck below the left knee and collapsed. The remaining members of the group fled back into Bangladeshi territory. BSF jawans administered first aid and transported the injured individual to Unakoti District Hospital, where he was declared dead.
The deceased was identified as a resident of Sharifpur, under Kulaura Upazila in Bangladesh’s Moulvibazar district. His elder brother, Jayanta Baidya, confirmed Pradip had left home the previous evening and had not returned. Upon learning about the incident, he contacted authorities and visited a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) camp, but received no information. He later lodged a general diary at Kulaura Police Station.
A post-mortem was conducted at Unakoti District Hospital, and the body remains in the morgue. The mortal remains are expected to be handed over to BGB on Monday following formal procedures.
