Bangladeshi smugglers persisted in their attempts to breach the international border with India in the districts of Malda and Murshidabad in West Bengal, consecutively for the second day, on Saturday, forcing the Border Security Force (BSF) to open fire in self-defense, an official said.
The recent incident occurred in the 119 Battalion of the BSF from the Nawada Border Outpost in Malda. This incident took place around 2:10 a.m. on Saturday. The BSF soldier on duty observed 15-20 Bangladeshi nationals in Indian territory.
They were rapidly moving towards the border fence. There was also some movement on the other side of the barbed wire fence. After alerting his team, the soldier rushed forward and ordered the Bangladeshis to get back beyond the zero line.
N.K. Pandey, DIG and spokesperson, BSF, South Bengal Frontier, said, “This had no impact on the smugglers, who focused their high-beam torch on the face of the jawan to disorient him. Some of them even moved towards him in a combative manner. This was when the soldier fired two blanks from his service rifle.”
He further reported that the blanks were unsuccessful in dissuading the criminals, who moved forward to surround him with the intent to attack with sharp weapons. By then, another BSF jawan had rushed to the spot.
Recognizing that his life was in danger, the first soldier fired two live rounds at the smugglers. This had the desired effect, and they fled into the darkness, taking advantage of a mango orchard. Pandey said that any wound to a member of the group cannot be excluded.
A search of the region led to the confiscation of 572 bottles of banned cough syrup, a ‘dau’ (sharp-edged weapon), and a high-beam torch.
Similar incidents were reported from the Harinathpur and Churiyantpur BOPs in Malda and the Nandanpur and Farjipara BOPs in Murshidabad.
In these areas, efforts were being made to smuggle out cattle and illegally cross the border into India. Five cattle heads were captured along with drugs and other illegal items.
All of these were handed over to concerned authorities. At all these locations, the soldiers had to use stun grenades, pump-action guns, and regular weapons to drive back the Bangladeshis. All firing incidents have been reported to the police.
