A Bangladeshi youth was killed after being shot on the Indian side of the border in Sylhet’s Companiganj upazila on Thursday night.
The deceased was identified as Saleh Ahmed Joydhar (30), son of the late Biram Ali of the Karbalar Tuk area in Doyar Bazar, Companiganj upazila.
According to local sources, three Bangladeshi youths allegedly entered about one kilometre inside Indian territory in the area between Changkhet garden and Markan garden in the Doyar Bazar border region around 8:30pm on Thursday. They later took position in a Khasi betel nut garden.
At that time, members of the Khasi community opened fire with pellet guns, suspecting them to be betel nut thieves. Saleh Ahmed was struck by pellets and died on the spot. His two companions later brought his body back to Bangladesh.
Lieutenant Colonel Nazmul Haque, commanding officer of the Sylhet Battalion (48 BGB), confirmed the incident and said the three individuals had prior allegations of involvement in smuggling-related activities. He added that legal procedures in connection with the incident are underway.
Officer-in-Charge of Companiganj Police Station Shafiqul Islam said police prepared an inquest report and sent the body to the morgue of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for autopsy.