United News of Bangladesh

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members fired two blank shots targeting suspected Indian smugglers along the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat district early Friday. The incident took place around 2:30am in the West Giarpara border area under Patgram upazila, according to a press release. However, no casualties were reported. According to BGB, a patrol team from Kolsimukh Border Outpost (BOP) under Rangpur Battalion (51 BGB) was conducting routine patrol duties near main pillar-806 when they spotted a group of suspected smugglers entering Bangladesh from India, around 200 yards inside Bangladeshi territory. When challenged by the patrol team, the suspects allegedly ignored repeated warnings and continued advancing towards BGB members. To bring the situation under control 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 fled back into Indian territory, the paramilitary force said. Lt Col Naziur Rahman, commanding officer of Rangpur 51 BGB responsible for the Patgram border, confirmed the incident, saying the smugglers attempted to enter Bangladesh after crossing beyond the Indian border fence.