Lalmonirhat: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members fired two blank shots targeting suspected Indian smugglers along the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat district early Friday. The incident occurred around 2:30 am in the West Giarpara border area under Patgram upazila, as detailed in a press release. No casualties were reported.
According to United News of Bangladesh, a patrol team from Kolsimukh Border Outpost (BOP) under Rangpur Battalion (51 BGB) was conducting routine patrol duties near main pillar-806. They observed a group of suspected smugglers entering Bangladesh from India, around 200 yards inside Bangladeshi territory. Despite being challenged by the patrol team, the suspects allegedly ignored repeated warnings and continued advancing towards BGB members.
To manage the situation and warn the group, the patrol team, acting on instructions from higher authorities and under the directive of patrol commander Nayeb Subedar Rafiqul Islam, fired two blank shots. Following the gunfire, the suspected smugglers retreated back into Indian territory, the paramilitary force reported.
Lt Col Naziur Rahman, commanding officer of Rangpur 51 BGB responsible for the Patgram border, confirmed the incident, stating that the smugglers attempted to enter Bangladesh after crossing beyond the Indian border fence.