A young man has died following a shooting incident along the Bangladesh–India border in the Hatibandha area of Lalmonirhat, prompting an investigation by border authorities and law enforcement agencies.
The deceased has been identified as Khademul Islam (25), son of Amjad Hossain from North Amjhol village under Gotamari Union in Hatibandha Upazila. He sustained fatal gunshot injuries in the early hours of Thursday near the Banchoiki Border Outpost (BOP) area, close to pillar 905/6 of the frontier region.
According to local accounts, Khademul Islam and several others allegedly crossed into Indian territory late on Wednesday night around 2:00 a.m. As they approached the barbed-wire fencing near the border, personnel from the 78th Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF), stationed at the Pangalmari camp, reportedly opened fire. Khademul was struck in the face, chest, and head, sustaining critical injuries.
He was subsequently brought back into Bangladesh by his companions and initially taken to a local medical facility before being transferred to a private clinic in Rangpur. Doctors there declared him dead upon arrival.
However, family members and local residents have presented a different account, claiming that Khademul had gone to a nearby river ghat for fishing when the shooting occurred. This discrepancy between eyewitness claims and official border narratives remains under review.
Following the incident, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) 15th Battalion issued a statement confirming that they had been informed of a Bangladeshi national being injured in the border area. The statement added that they immediately contacted the BSF 78th Battalion. While the Indian side initially indicated that an investigation would be conducted, it later denied any involvement in the incident.
A senior BGB official, Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam, stated that a formal inquiry has been initiated to determine the exact circumstances of the death. Preliminary observations of the injuries suggest multiple possible scenarios, and the final determination will depend on the post-mortem examination report. Efforts are also underway to arrange a flag meeting between company and battalion-level commanders of both border forces.
Meanwhile, the Hatibandha Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Ranjan Ali, confirmed that police visited the victim’s residence after receiving information from local sources and the BGB. A preliminary inquest report has been prepared, and the body is expected to be sent to the Lalmonirhat District Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Authorities have stated that the true cause of death will be clarified following the post-mortem examination, and legal steps will be taken accordingly by both police and the victim’s family.
Key Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Khademul Islam (25) |
| Father | Amjad Hossain |
| Residence | North Amjhol, Hatibandha Upazila |
| Incident Location | Near pillar 905/6, Banchoiki BOP area |
| Time of Incident | Early hours of Thursday |
| Injuries | Gunshot wounds to face, chest, head |
| Alleged Involved Force | Border Security Force 78th Battalion |
| Investigating Authority | Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Police |
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities from both sides expected to exchange findings through formal border liaison mechanisms.