A 20-year-old Bangladeshi youth, identified as Tara Miah, was shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the Kulaura border in Moulvibazar district in the early hours of Sunday. The incident occurred at the Maguruli border area under the Prithimpasha Union of Kulaura Upazila.
The deceased was the son of Abdul Malek, a resident of the Muraichhara Bosti area in Karmadha Union within the same upazila.
According to official information provided by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) 46 Battalion, the incident transpired at approximately 3:30 am. A group of four to five Bangladeshi smugglers reportedly crossed into Indian territory illegally, advancing around 500 yards beyond the Maguruli border line. A patrol team from the 199 Battalion of the BSF, stationed at the Maguruli camp, opened fire on the group. Tara Miah died on the spot, whilst his accomplices managed to flee back into Bangladeshi territory.
The Maguruli border sector falls under the jurisdiction of the BGB 46 Battalion. Lieutenant Colonel Sarkar Asif Mahmud, Commander of the battalion based in Sreemangal, confirmed the details, stating that the deceased was actively involved in cross-border smuggling—a fact also acknowledged by the victim’s family. He added that Tara Miah had a prior case registered against him at Kulaura Police Station on charges related to illegal smuggling activities.
Following the shooting, BSF personnel retrieved the body and taken it to the Indian side. Lieutenant Colonel Mahmud noted that official procedures are currently underway, and the BSF will hand over the deceased’s body to his relatives once the requisite legal formalities are completed.
Fatal border encounters remain a persistent issue along the lengthy frontier between Bangladesh and India, frequently raising concerns regarding border security, illegal movement, and law enforcement protocols. This incident follows a similar casualty in the region earlier this year. On 12 June, another 20-year-old Bangladeshi youth, Mujib Ali, was fatally shot by the BSF along the Dattagram border in Sharifpur Union under Kulaura Upazila. In that instance, the BSF subsequently handed over the body to the victim’s family, and the BGB lodged an official letter of protest with their Indian counterparts to condemn the border violence.
