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PANCHAGARH, Apr 13 (Agencies): At least one Indian border guard was killed in a shootout with Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) near the western frontier of Banglabandh in Tetulia Upazila today (Thursday).
BDR sources said the shootout was triggered by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) as they opened fire on Bangladeshi workers while they were lifting stones from river Mahananda near the main border pillar No. 731 at about 10am.
But unofficial sources believed the death toll could be two or more.
BDR sources said their men from Banglabandh camp rushed to the scene as soon as they heard about the BSF firing on Bangladeshi workers and made a quick retaliation.
Local sources said nearly 500 shots were traded during the battle that continued until noon.
When contacted, local BDR commander Lieutenant Colonel Gazi Firoj Rahman said that he had heard about the death of a BSF man during the encounter.
He confirmed that there was a gunfight between the border guards of the two neighbouring countries, adding that the BDR had to retaliate in self-defence and to protect the Bangladeshi workers.
Both BDR and BSF reinforced their troops along the border following the gun battle, which escalated tension in the area.
Meanwhile, the BDR Tetulia company authorities sent a letter to their Indian counterpart protesting the firing by the BSF and inviting them to hold a flag meeting. The BSF is yet to reply.
Earlier Wednesday, 8-10 armed BSF jawans of Nabayan Jote camp walked into Bangladesh territory and threatened the frontier residents of Tetulia Upazila.
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