2 killed in Thakurgaon in BGB firing

Two people were killed and at least 15 others injured after members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) opened fire during, what the paramilitary force claimed, a clash with cattle smugglers on Tuesday.

The incident took place at Bahrampur village in Haripur Upazila in the morning.

Police identified the deceased as Nawab, 30, son of Nazrul Islam, and Sadek, 40, son of Zahir Uddin of Ruhia village.

Locals said BGB members of Betna border camp stopped some cattle traders from going to Zaduranirhat in Ranishankoil Upazila around 11:30am, suspecting that those had been smuggled from India.

Witnesses said there had been an altercation between the two parties that ultimately turned into a full-scale clash. The BGB members then opened fire on the feuding people, killing the two men on the spot.

Police super of the district Mohammad Maniruzzaman said many people were injured in the BGB firing. “They’re being treated at various hospitals,” he said adding, “Two of them --Mithun and Babu-- are in critical condition.”

Commander of BGB Thakurgaon 50 Battalion Lt Col Tuhin Mohammad Masud said two people were killed in the BGB firing. “The BGB men opened fire in self-defence,” he insisted.

The commander claimed that cattle smugglers, armed with sharp weapons, attacked the BGB troopers after they seized several smuggled cows, forcing them to open fire in self-defence.

Two BGB members were also injured in the clash, he added.

Source: unb