A Bangladeshi youth was killed in firing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in the Dattagram border area of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar on Friday evening, according to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

The deceased was identified as Md. Mujib Ali, 20, son of Md Ajib Ali, of Dattagram village.

Lt Col Sarkar Asif Mahmud, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-46 in Srimangal, said a group of six to seven Bangladeshi smugglers, with the assistance of Indian smugglers, illegally entered Indian territory – approximately 500 yards from border pillar 1852/5-S – through the Dattagram border around 7:00pm Friday to bring in smuggled goods.

Quoting BSF officials, Lt Col Asif said as members of BSF's Lathiapura camp intercepted the group, the Bangladeshi smugglers attempted to attack its members with locally made weapons.

In response, BSF officials claimed its personnel fired two to three rounds in self-defence, leaving one Bangladeshi named Mujib Ali dead on the spot, he said.

The remaining members of the group fled back to Bangladesh and are currently in hiding, he said, quoting BSF.

The BSF reportedly took away the body after the incident, the BGB commanding officer added.

Zahirul Islam Munna, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kulaura Police Station, said a police team was sent to the scene after receiving information about the incident.

Sharifpur Union Parishad Acting Chairman Nipa Rani Das said, “We have learned that after entering the Manu River area in Nishchintapur and crossing into Indian territory, Mujib was shot by the BSF.