Two Bangladeshi infiltrators were shot dead by locals inside the Indian territory in Meghalaya near the Companiganj border in Sylhet, Bangladesh, on Friday (19th December). The Bangladeshi nationals have been identified as Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman (19) and Mosaid Ali (22), both residents of Purbo Turung village adjacent to the Damdama border.
The incident reportedly happened at 12:00 pm on the day of the incident. According to the Commanding Officer of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) battalion-48 in Sylhet, the shooting took place about 1.5 kilometres inside Indian territory. He said that Ashiqur was shot by armed Khasi guards near a betel nut plantation while trying to steal betel nuts. He died on the spot, and his body was brought back by his companions later.
Mosaid was shot in a separate incident. He sustained serious injuries and was taken back into Bangladesh territory by his companions. He succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment at Companyganj Upazila Health Complex. Bangladeshi media reported that people from Khasi community fired at the Bangladeshis.
Lt Col Nazmul Islam, commanding officer of BGB’s 48 Battalion in Sylhet, said initial information suggested both youths had crossed the border for livelihood opportunities. He said, “They were inside Indian territory collecting forest produce and betel nuts when the shooting occurred.”
“They were allegedly stealing betel nuts from a Khasi orchard when members of the community opened fire,” the BGB Commanding Officer said. Confirming the incidents, Companiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam said that the bodies of the Bangladeshis were sent for post-mortem. “Both bodies were sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for autopsy, and a case will be filed in this regard,” Islam said.