Staff Reporter :
A Bangladeshi youth was killed by the Border Security Force (BSF) in a shootout at the Baliadangi border in Thakurgaon district early Friday, police reported.
The 28-year-old victim, Raju Islam, was the son of Habib Ali of Gariali village in Boro Palashbari union.
Officer-in-charge of Baliadangi police station, Firoz Kabir, confirmed the incident, stating that Raju allegedly crossed into Indian territory through the Nagarbhita border to smuggle cattle. He was shot on the spot as the BSF opened fire in the Tingaon area.
Commandant of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)-50 Battalion in Thakurgaon, Lt Col Md Tanjir Ahmed, said they were informed about the killing and have called for a flag meeting with local BSF commanders.
According to Ain O Salish Kendra, more than 200 Bangladeshis have
been killed by the BSF between January 2018 and December 2023.
Hundreds more have been tortured. Last year alone, 28 people lost their lives and 31 suffered severe physical abuse.
The highest number of killings by the BSF occurred in 2020, with 42 people shot dead and six others tortured to death. In 2019, 43 people were killed, 37 of whom were shot dead, while six others died from torture. The least number of deaths occurred in 2018.
Government data shows that 291 Bangladeshis were killed by the BSF between 2009 and 2017, with the highest number of deaths in 2009 and at least 17 in 2017.
Despite numerous high-profile meetings between Dhaka and Delhi aimed at reducing border killings to zero, the issue remains a major concern for Bangladesh.