Agartala, May 9 (IANS) The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) has initiated the process of handing over the bodies of two suspected Bangladeshi smugglers who were killed in firing near the Zero Point along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura’s Sepahijala district, officials said on Saturday.

A senior police official said that tension prevailed along the India-Bangladesh border in Sepahijala district after the two suspected Bangladeshi smugglers were killed in firing on Friday night.

The deceased were identified as Nabir Hussain (40) and Md. Mursalin (22).

According to the official, BSF personnel on routine patrol noticed a group of Bangladeshi smugglers allegedly attempting to smuggle fish fingerlings from the Indian side across the border.

The border guarding force challenged the smugglers and warned them against continuing the activity.

“When the smugglers continued their attempt, BSF personnel again warned them not to proceed. However, the smugglers allegedly began pelting stones and bricks at the troops. The jawans initially issued repeated warnings asking them to disperse, but when the situation became uncontrollable, the personnel fired a few rounds from their PAG (Pump Action Gun) in self-defence, injuring the two smugglers,” the official added.

He said that the injured individuals were immediately shifted to government hospitals, where they later succumbed to their injuries.

Following post-mortem examinations, the bodies were kept in the hospital mortuary before the process for handing them over to Bangladesh authorities was initiated.

Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced regarding the existence of an organised smuggling network engaged in trafficking fish fry along the border areas.

Local sources alleged that the network operates under the leadership of a man identified as Suman from Miyapara in Sepahijala district.

The Sonamura, Kamalasagar and adjoining border areas of Sepahijala district have long been vulnerable to cross-border smuggling activities involving narcotics, clothes, fish fry, stolen motorcycles and other goods.

Tripura, which shares an 856-km-long border with Bangladesh and is surrounded on three sides by the neighbouring country, remains highly vulnerable to cross-border infiltration, smuggling and other trans-border crimes.

Except for a few stretches, most parts of the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura have been fenced to curb smuggling, illegal movement of infiltrators and activities of anti-national elements.

A BSF official said the border guarding force has significantly intensified surveillance and domination along the International Border since violence erupted in Bangladesh during June-July 2024, particularly after the fall of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5.

–IANS

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