Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said its members were forced to fire back in self-defence after being attacked by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the Rajshahi border on Thursday that led to the death of a BSF man, reports UNB.

In a press release, the BGB said the BSF members intruded into Bangladesh territory and tried to snatch an Indian fisherman detained while illegally fishing in the Padma river.

“BSF members first opened fire while fleeing from Bangladesh territory towards India in the morning,” the release said.

The incident took place 650 yards inside Bangladesh territory in Shahariaghat Balughat of the river under Charghat upazila in Rajshahi district.

The press release, signed by Public Relations Officer of the BGB headquarters Md Shariful Islam, said three Indian fishermen were seen fishing in the Padma river in an engine-run boat 350 yards inside Bangladesh from the zero line under BGB Rajshahi Battalion Charghat Border Outpost (BOP) around 10:40am.

A patrol team of BOP along with Charghat Upazila Fisheries Department’s field assistant Abu Raihan and two other assistants went to the spot as part of mother hilsa protection campaign. They detained one of the fishermen along with illegal current net while two others fled, the release added.

Later, four BSF members from Kagmari BOP under BSF 117 Battalion entered 650 yards inside Bangladesh territory through Shahariaghat Balughat in a speedboat. One of them was in uniform while three others were wearing half-pants and under-vests. They were also carrying firearms, the release said.

As the BSF men tried to flee along with the detained Indian fisherman forcibly, they were informed that he (fisherman) would be returned through a flag meeting, it said.

Besides, the BGB patrol team informed the BSF members that they (BSF men) would also be returned through the flag meeting as they trespassed into the Bangladesh territory.

At this stage, the BSF members got panicked and tried to flee along with the fisherman and but the BGB men obstructed them, the release said.

Being agitated, BSF members opened fire and started their speedboat towards the Indian territory, it said, adding that the BGB patrol team then opened fire in self-defence.

A flag meeting was held between the commanding officer of Rajshahi Battalion and the commandant of BSF 117 Battalion in this regard.

The flag meeting revealed that one BSF member was killed and another injured in the incident.

At the meeting, both sides agreed to investigate the incident from their respective positions and take action accordingly.

They also agreed to hold the flag meeting again for further discussions on this issue.