15 wounded in BSF firing
Villagers flee for safety as over 1,000 gunshots traded on Jaintapur border in Sylhet; offensives after Delhi meeting shock BDR chief
Bangladesh Rifles and the Indian Border Security Force traded gunfire for around three hours yesterday after BSF crossed the Jaintapur border in Sylhet and shot locals.
At least 15 villagers were injured in the BSF firing, reports our staff correspondent from Sylhet.
The BDR and BSF jawans fired more than a thousand shots, forcing the villagers to flee their homes, said eyewitnesses.
The skirmish took place a day after BSF intruded into Bangladesh, dug bunkers and retreated following a flag meeting.
Only three days back, the Indian frontier force assured their Bangladesh counterpart of no more killing of villagers in the bordering areas. The assurance came when directors general of the two forces met in New Delhi.
Some 40 Indian Khasia people entered the Bangladesh territory through Muktapur-Jaintapur at around 10:30am.
An hour later, they were joined by a hundred more. Backed by the Indian border guards, they soon began erecting bamboo huts at Mandir Tila, about 300 yards off the no-man's land.
As they refused to leave on repeated requests from the villagers, a brawl ensued. Hurling stones, the two sides chased each other for an hour.
At around 2:00pm, BSF opened fire on the villagers and the BDR personnel posted in Dibir Haor area.
Bangladesh border guards returned fire, leading to a gunfight that continued till the Indians retreated at 4:45pm.
Of the injured, Abul Kalam, 35, was admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. The others--Sumon 25, Abdur Rahman, 30, Mohammad Russell, 20, Ram, 25, Matin Miah, 30, Abdur Rahim, 40, Solaiman Miah, 80, Abdul Halim, 40, Mashuk,35, Sabbir Ahmed, Mokbul Ali, 26, Monir Hossain, 25, Kabir Ahmed, 22 and Akkel Ali-- were taken to Jaintapur Upazila Health Complex.
Most of them hail from Dibir Haor, Ghilatail, Naljur and Fulbari areas.
Lieutenant Colonel Zahirul Alam, commanding officer of 21 Rifle Battalion in Sylhet, said the attack on the villagers was premeditated. Alongside BSF jawans, Indian khasias took part in the battle.
He however could not confirm the number of gunshots traded.
Talking to The Daily Star last night, BDR Director General Major Gen Md Mainul Islam termed the incident "very regretful”.
He said the BSF stopped firing after BDR had contacted the Indian side.
He observed the decisions taken at the recent director general-level meet do not seem to have been communicated to the BSF officials at the grassroots level.
Gen Mainul stressed the need for the joint boundary working group to meet immediately to prevent a flare-up.
Situation along the Jaintapur border has been tensed since early February.
During the period, Indians made several attempts to occupy land in Dibir Haor and Kendra Beel areas.
On February 4, the Indian border guards abducted nayek Mujibur Rahman from Dibir Haor. They returned him after a flag meeting on the Tamabil frontier.
On February 14, three Bangladeshis were injured in BSF firing in the same area. The Indian guards fired at Bangladeshis again on February 26 and 28
