Bangladeshi smugglers attacked jawan in West Bengal, one killed in self-defence retaliation: BSF

One Bangladeshi smuggler was neutralised in a retaliatory self-defence fire by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Malda district, the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) said.

This was following an attack by a group of smuggler’s associates armed with sharp-edged weapons along the India-Bangladesh border in Malda district.

According to the officials, the incident occurred on the intervening night of August 11-12, when the group of smugglers attacked the BSF troops from the Chandnichak Border Outpost of the 115th Battalion under the force’s South Bengal Frontier.

The deceased smuggler has been identified as Abdullah, who is a resident of Rishipara village in the border district Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh. Rishipara village is 4.5 km inside Bangladesh from the International Border.

As per the BSF, the smuggler had crossed the security cordon of Bangladesh’s BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) and entered the Indian border illegally to take a consignment of bidi leaves. “The smugglers attempted to smuggle contraband items, but the jawans foiled the attempt by firing in self-defense, ultimately driving the assailants back,” said the BSF in a statement.

In this retaliatory action, the border guarding force said, one Bangladeshi smuggler was killed. “Sharp weapons and contraband items were recovered during a search of the area,” they added.

According to reports, during the second shift at the Chandnichak Border Outpost on August 12, a jawan, with the help of PNVB, observed 5-6 individuals moving goods on their heads from the Indian side towards Bangladesh. The jawan quickly moved in to intercept and challenge the smugglers to stop. Ignoring the challenge, another group of 5-6 miscreants hiding in the reed grass attacked the jawan with sharp weapons. Fearing for his life, the jawan fired one round at the smugglers in self-defence,” said the BSF.

Despite the gunfire, the force said, the smugglers continued to move towards Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, a second jawan challenged the assailants, who took advantage of the wild bushes and darkness to attack him as well, it said, adding that “the second jawan, also feeling threatened, fired another round in self-defence. After the firing, all the miscreants fled back towards the Indian border, using the darkness and wild bushes for cover.”

“The company commander, who was on patrol duty, immediately reached the spot and, along with the jawans, searched the area. They recovered six bundles of bidi leaves and found one Bangladeshi smuggler injured in the jungle. He was taken to the government hospital in Mahesil, Murshidabad, where he later died during treatment,” the BSF added.

BSF further said it was not an isolated incident, and that similar deadly attacks on BSF personnel by cattle smugglers and illegal intruders have occurred at the sector headquarters in Berhampur and Malda, within the Murshidabad and Malda districts of West Bengal.

The force also mentioned that attacks have also been reported at the Natna Forward, Kaharpara, and Anuradhapur Border Outposts, as well as at the Mahedra and Ghojadanga Border Outposts under Sector Headquarters Kolkata and Krishnanagar in the North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts. In these incidents, jawans fired stun grenades and other weapons in self-defence, preventing smuggling attempts and illegal intrusions, and seizing 682 bottles of Phensedyl, 50 kg of sugar, and one cattle.

Meetings were held with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) following all these incidents, during which strong protests were lodged against the unprovoked deadly attacks by Bangladeshi smugglers. A preliminary report has also been lodged at the concerned police station regarding the attack and the defensive firing.

AK Arya, DIG, the spokesperson for the BSF South Bengal Frontier, stated that such incidents are not uncommon in their line of duty. He praised the BSF jawans for performing their duties with exceptional courage and vigilance.

“Despite frequent flag meetings with the BGB to alert them about the ongoing attacks and illegal infiltration by Bangladeshi criminals, no concrete action has been taken. This inaction has emboldened the smugglers and criminals. Nevertheless, our jawans remain steadfast in protecting our borders and ensuring the security of our nation under all circumstances,” Arya said.