An Indian national was detained with a foreign-made pistol, two rounds of ammunition and 500 yaba tablets after a gunfight between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and a group of suspected Indian smugglers along the Barlekha border in Moulvibazar on Thursday night.
The detainee was identified as Bolai Das, who was detained in an injured condition following the gunfight, saidLt ColAtaur Rahman, commander of Biyanibazar Battalion (52 BGB).
He said the BGB had received confidential information that a group of Indian smugglers was attempting to bring firearms and drugs into Bangladesh through the Kumarshail border area of Barlekha.
Acting on the information, a special BGB patrol team took position in the Kumarshail area and launched an operation around 10pm on Thursday (August 27).
When the suspected smugglers were challenged, they opened fire at the BGB personnel, prompting the border guards to return fire in self-defence, the BGB official said.
The other members of the group managed to flee, while Bolai Das was detained in an injured condition.
A search of his belongings led to the recovery of the foreign-made pistol, two rounds of ammunition and 500 yaba tablets,Lt ColAtaur said.
Bolai Das is currently receiving treatment under BGB custody, while legal proceedings against him are underway.
Meanwhile, BGB patrols and intelligence surveillance have been strengthened along the border to prevent smuggling and illegal entry, the official said.
