A Bangladeshi national was found dead near the India-Bangladesh international border in Tripura’s Unakoti district following an alleged confrontation between BSF personnel and a group of suspected smugglers, police said on Sunday.
The incident occurred after midnight near Border Pillar No. 1847, close to Gate No. 47 in Ward No. 3 of Magruli Gram Panchayat. According to Unakoti Superintendent of Police Rishab, a group of suspected smugglers allegedly crossed the international boundary and entered Indian territory before stopping ahead of the border fence.
The group allegedly attempted to assault BSF personnel who were on patrol duty, using an iron dao and a cricket bat, posing what authorities described as an imminent threat to the personnel.
Rishab said the BSF personnel initially used other measures to deter the group but eventually opened fire in accordance with established procedure. The group subsequently fled towards the Bangladesh side, he said.
During a search of the area following the incident, BSF personnel recovered the body of a Bangladeshi national. Articles suspected to have been used during the confrontation were also recovered from the spot, the SP said.
Local sources identified the deceased as Tara Mia, aged around 30, and a resident of Dastekhi in Bangladesh. Preliminary local reports claimed that the group may have been involved in the alleged smuggling of Burmese cigarettes across the border. Police, however, have not officially confirmed either the identity of the deceased or the alleged smuggling activity.
A police team reached the area after being informed about the incident, and further legal proceedings are underway, Rishab said.
Security has since been intensified in the Magruli border area. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged illegal entry, the confrontation between the suspected smugglers and BSF personnel, and the death of the Bangladeshi national.
