The Bangladesh-India border continues to witness alarming incidents of violence, with an increasing number of Bangladeshi nationals falling victim to border-related fatalities.
A recent review of casualties over the past two years underscores the ongoing tensions and challenges that persist along the frontier.
In 2023 alone, a total of 25 Bangladeshi nationals lost their lives in separate incidents along the border.
Among these, 19 were shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF), while the remaining six were killed by Indian civilians, according to statistics from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Headquarters.
These incidents have sparked growing concerns over the use of lethal force by BSF personnel and sporadic violence involving local Indian residents.
Despite repeated assurances over the years from BSF’s Director General to reduce border casualties to zero, the use of deadly weapons by the BSF persists, leading to further fatalities of Bangladeshi nationals.
The trend showed no signs of abating in 2024. Data from the BGB Headquarters reveals that between 1 January and 31 December, another 19 Bangladeshi nationals were killed by BSF, exhibiting the previous year’s pattern of violence.
Besides, five more deaths occurred at the hands of Indian civilians, further fuelling outrage and demands for accountability from both governments.
The bloodshed has already continued into 2025. In the first two months alone, from 1 January to 28 February, three more Bangladeshi nationals were killed—one by BSF personnel and two by Indian nationals.
These latest fatalities highlight the ongoing risks faced by individuals crossing the border, often in search of economic opportunities, migration, or trade.
The Bangladesh-India border has long been a flashpoint for human rights concerns, with frequent reports of violence, illegal crossings, and territorial disputes affecting the lives of those living in the region.
Human rights organisations have called on both nations to ease tensions, reinforce border security protocols, and ensure accountability for those responsible for the violence.
As of now, Indian authorities have not issued a formal statement regarding the recent fatalities. But, previous incidents have drawn condemnation from Bangladesh. Advocacy groups are also urging the international community to intervene and push for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis at the border.
For the families of the victims, the violence has left behind an enduring sense of grief and unanswered questions. As the death toll continues to rise, pressure is mounting on both Bangladesh and India to address the situation and work towards a more secure and humane border policy.
When contacted for comments, Director (Operation) of BGB Headquarters, Lt Col SM Shafiqur Rahman, stated that in the past ten years, 220 Bangladeshi nationals have been killed by India’s BSF. Besides, 57 more have been killed by Indian nationals during the same period.
Lt Col Rahman emphasised that BGB personnel operate in strict adherence to international laws and human rights regulations. “If any Indian national illegally enters Bangladesh, we detain them and hand them over to Indian authorities or transfer them to local police stations for legal action. We never open fire, which is why there are no casualties of Indian nationals at the hands of the BGB along our border,” he said.
“Whenever we hold meetings with BSF, whether at the commander level or any other level, we repeatedly urge them not to open fire on our citizens if they cross the border illegally. Instead, they should apprehend them and bring them under the law,” Shafiqur Rahman added.
He also called upon international human rights organisations to take a stronger stance against BSF’s use of lethal force along the border.
BGB thwarts BSF's attempt to construct barbed-wire fence along Lalmonirhat border
When asked how Bangladeshi nationals continue to cross the border despite BGB’s surveillance, he explained, “Around 99% of border incidents are related to smuggling. There are smuggling syndicates on both sides of the border. Those who cross from Bangladesh for smuggling purposes often end up in disputes with syndicate members on the Indian side. When they return, they face resistance from the BSF, leading to violent clashes where BSF personnel mostly use lethal weapons.”
“In contrast, when Indian nationals illegally enter Bangladesh, we follow human rights laws. Instead of opening fire, we detain them and hand them over to the appropriate authorities,” he added.
Shafiqur Rahman further noted that the distance between Border Outposts (BOPs) is quite extensive, with each BOP manned by 20 to 35 personnel. “Across Bangladesh, approximately 700 BGB teams conduct patrols along the border at any given time, but this is not sufficient. As a result, some Bangladeshi citizens unknowingly cross the border despite BGB's efforts to prevent it,” he said.
Regarding measures taken to prevent illegal crossings into India, he stated that BGB has been engaging with border communities in various ways to discourage illegal crossings and raise awareness about the risks involved.
Bangladeshi killed in BSF firing along Panchagarh border
As diplomatic efforts continue, the urgency to address border-related fatalities remains high, with both nations facing mounting pressure to uphold human rights and ensure the safety of civilians along the frontier, officials here said.