BSF men beat rickshaw-van puller inside Bangladesh territory at Phulbari border

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) team on Saturday crossed over into Bangladesh territory and beat a rickshaw-van puller at Balatari border under Phulbari upazila in Kurigram. According to sources at Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), a BSF team from Korla camp intruded into Bangladesh territory near International Pillar number 932 while they were chasing some smugglers at around 2pm. However, the BSF personnel lost track of the smugglers and instead picked up a rickshaw-van puller from Balatari area under Naodanga union before beating him. When locals rushed to the aid of the rickshaw-van puller, the intruders fled to the Indian side of the border while leaving him behind. In response to the incident, the BGB has increased patrols at the border area. A flag meeting was held between the BGB and BSF regarding the matter at around 3pm. Subedar Noor-e-Alam, company commander of Shimulbari camp under BGB battalion 15, led the BGB delegation at the flag meeting. Noor said the BSF had apologized for their mistake at the meeting.