One killed by BSF at Lalmonirhat border

A Bangladeshi youth was shot dead by members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Amjhol border in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat early Thursday, amid renewed concerns over border killings.

The deceased was identified as Khademul Haque, 25, son of Amzad Hossain of Uttar Amjhol village in the upazila.

The incident occurred at around 3:00am near border pillar 905/6 adjacent to the border forest checkpoint.

According to Hatibandha Police Station officer-in-charge Ramjan Ali, local residents said a group of Bangladeshi smugglers approached the barbed-wire fence about 150 yards inside Indian territory when a patrol team from the Paglamari camp of India’s 78th BSF Battalion opened fire on them.
Khademul sustained bullet injuries to his face, chest and head.

His companions later rescued him and took him to a clinic in Rangpur, where he died at around 8:00am while undergoing treatment, the OC said. Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam, commanding officer of the 15-Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion in Lalmonirhat, said BGB had sent a protest letter to the BSF over the incident.

“A flag meeting has also been called, but the BSF authorities are yet to respond,” he added.

The latest killing comes just days after two Bangladeshis were reportedly killed along the Brahmanbaria border, triggering fresh debate over the continued use of lethal force along the Bangladesh-India frontier.
Rights activists and local residents have repeatedly urged both countries to adopt non-lethal measures to prevent border violence.

Reacting to the incident, local human rights campaigners condemned the killing and called for an impartial investigation. They said repeated incidents of shooting deaths along the border were undermining bilateral relations and creating fear among border communities.

Border rights observers also urged the governments of Bangladesh and India to strengthen diplomatic efforts to ensure accountability and prevent further loss of lives.