A suspected cattle smuggler was shot dead during an anti-smuggling drive of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along Haluaghat border in Mymensingh district early Monday.

The deceased was identified as Noman, 38, son of Rafiqul Islam of Jhaljhulia village in Haluaghat upazila.

Tipped off, a BGB patrol team seized four cattle while being smuggled into the country across the border, said Lieutenant Colonel Nurul Azim Bayezid, commanding officer of the 39 BGB Battalion.

At one stage, a group of smugglers attacked the BGB personnel and snatched away two cattle around 5:45am in Jaljalia area under the jurisdiction of Telikhali Border Outpost (BOP) of the BGB’s 39 Battalion, leaving BGB Nayek Rafiq injured, he said.

The BGB members subsequently fired warning shots in self defence and to bring the situation under control, leaving Noman injured, said the BGB commander.

Later, Noman was taken to Haluaghat Upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared him dead.

Bayezid said preparations are underway to file a case over obstructing government officials in the discharging their duties.

Meanwhile, news of Noman’s death triggered anger and tension in Haluaghat municipality on Monday morning.

Local people staged a demonstration by placing logs and furniture on the road, halting vehicular movement on the Haluaghat-Mymensingh highway.

A long tailback was created on both sides of the highway causing severe suffering for commuters and pedestrians.

Members of law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.

Officer-in-Charge of Haluaghat Police Station Jalal Uddin said the situation in the area is now normal.

Police recovered the body and sent it to the morgue of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for an autopsy, he said.