A Bangladeshi youth was shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) near the Kulaura border in Moulvibazar on Saturday night, local officials confirmed on Sunday (June 1).

The incident took place inside Indian territory near the Dattagram border area in Sharifpur Union under Kulaura upazila.

Sharifpur Union Parishad member Joynul Islam said they learned about Pradip Baidya’s death on Sunday. 

The deceased Pradip, son of Shailendra Baidya, was a resident of Dattagram. He had been missing since Saturday evening, and his family searched for him late into the night but could not find him.

Quoting family members, Joynul said the family is very poor, and Pradip was the only breadwinner. His father is seriously ill. 

He said that Pradip may have unknowingly crossed the border and fallen victim to BSF firing.

Kulaura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Golam Apser said he came to know about the incident from media reports, but no official communication or documents had reached his office yet.

Lt Col ASM Zakaria, commanding officer of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion-46, said it is still unclear how the Bangladeshi national entered Indian territory and was shot. However, the BSF has confirmed the death of a Bangladeshi national.

He added that the BGB is in talks with the BSF to bring the body back.

MSK/