BSF says 1 smuggler dies, 3 jawans injured during attack by smugglers on Indo-Bangla border

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 2, 2024

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday claimed that three of its personnel were injured after they were attacked by miscreants along the Indo-Bangla border in East Khasi Hills District.

According to them, one smuggler died while another injured during the incident, which took place at Shella village on Friday day.

The incident has also taken place during a special operation launched by the BSF troops while acting on specific information regarding the smuggling of a large quantity of sugar and onions along the international border. 

A statement issued by the BSF said that the BSF party observed miscreants carrying smuggling goods towards Bangladesh very close to the International Border. 

Simultaneously, a large number of Bangladeshi miscreants became active on the Bangladesh side to receive the smuggling consignment. 

It said that the BSF party challenged the miscreants to stop but they adamantly refused to comply and kept on advancing adding that the situation was aggravated when more miscreants encircled the BSF personnel and pelted stones on them. 

The statement said despite warnings and use of non-lethal weapons to disperse the mob, the miscreants persisted on their aggressive behavior and attacked BSF personnel with iron machetes (Dahs) and Sticks (Lathies) and pelted stones, resulting in injuries of three BSF personnel, of which one was injured severely on right  eye and had to shifted to Shillong. 

It said that in spite of repeated warnings the miscreants did not deter and kept on approaching aggressively towards BSF party with the intention to cause bodily injury to BSF party and also tried to snatch their weapons.

“Sensing the dire circumstances and acute threat one shot was fired in air to disperse the miscreants but they did not get fazed by the fire. Thereafter sensing the aggressive demeanor, second round was fired as a result of which miscreants of both sides dispersed,” the BSF said while adding that later on, it was learnt that one Smuggler had died in the incident and another BD Smuggler had sustained injuries.

Further, the BSF said that the general area is being frequently exploited by smugglers to smuggle cattle heads, Sugar, Onion, liquor and other contraband items to Bangladesh and many smuggling syndicates are active in the area who try to derail peace in the border area just for their own vested interest. 

The matter is under investigation and preventive measures would be taken accordingly, they said.