United News of Bangladesh

Ten people, including women and children, remained stranded at the zero line along the Panchagarh border for more than 36 hours on Saturday after efforts by border forces of Bangladesh and India failed to resolve a standoff over an alleged push-in attempt. According to local sources and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) attempted to push the group into Bangladesh through the Barabari Pradhanpara border area in Harivasa union of Panchagarh Sadar upazila early Friday. However, BGB personnel prevented their entry and refused to accept them, maintaining its stance against any form of push-in. The BSF also did not take the group back, leaving them stranded at the border. A flag meeting between BGB and BSF officials was held on Saturday in an effort to resolve the situation, but no agreement was reached. The group has been staying near the zero line on the Indian side of the border since Friday morning. After enduring intense heat during the day, they spent the night in heavy rain under the open sky. Local residents expressed concern over their condition, particularly that of the women and children. "It was difficult even for people indoors to cope with the heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the night. They had to remain outside with no shelter," said a local resident, urging the authorities concerned to find a quick solution. BGB sources said patrol members stopped the alleged push-in attempt soon after it began on Friday. A company commander-level flag meeting was later held, but the issue remained unresolved. Commanding Officer of the Nilphamari 56 BGB Battalion, Lt Col Md Sirajul Islam, said BGB would not accept any kind of push-in. "Border surveillance and patrol activities have been strengthened round the clock," he said.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has detained three Bangladeshis including a child and a broker for attempting to infiltrate into India along  Muhurijot border in Panchagarh district.  They were detained late Friday, Nilphamari 56 BGB said in a press release.  The detainees were Nitai Chandra Roy, 35, of Alampur village in Thakurgaon Sadar, his seven-year-old daughter Bhumi Rani Shreya and Saddam Hossain, 30, of Shibchandi area in Tetulia upazila. Saddam Hossain attempted to facilitate their illegal entry into India, the BGB said.  Tipped off, members of Magurmari BOP under the 56th BGB Battalion, conducted a drive and detained them. The BGB members  also seized a barbed wire cutter, two mobile phone sets, a pair of silver rings, and Tk 20,160 in cash from their possession. BSF erects electric pillars along Bangladesh's Patgram border: BGB Saddam Hossain had reportedly taken Tk 30,000 to arrange their illegal entry into India, the statement reads.  Lt Col Sheikh Mohammad Badruddoja, commander of the 56th BGB Battalion, said legal action will be  taken against the detainees and they will be handed over to the police. He reaffirmed that the BGB remains vigilant to prevent illegal infiltration, smuggling, and other cross-border crimes.

A Bangladeshi man was shot dead by members of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) early Friday, along the border near Panchagarh Sadar upazila. The victim, 40-year-old Anwar Hossain of Amjowani village in Debnagar union, Tetulia upazila, was killed at sub-pillar 8/9 of main pillar 751, near Mominpara in Haribhasa union, Panchagarh Sadar upazila, and Singpara in India. He was the son of Rafiqul Islam. According to the Nilphamari 56 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion, Anwar and several others crossed into India Thursday night to bring back cattle. While returning in the early morning, they were intercepted by the BSF’s 93 Battalion from Chanakya Camp. The BSF claimed the group of Bangladeshis, armed with weapons, attacked them. In response, the BSF said they first fired a sound grenade and then live rounds in self-defense, injuring Anwar. The group fled, but Anwar managed to cross back into Bangladesh, where he collapsed and died. The BSF reportedly seized two cattle during the confrontation. The BGB discharged eight rounds of blank fire to deter further violence and seized one smuggled cow from the Bangladeshi side. Lt Col Sheikh Mohammad Badruddoza, commander of the Nilphamari 56 BGB Battalion, visited the scene with Haribhasa Union Parishad Chairman Syed Nure Alam and strongly condemned the killing. A formal protest letter was sent to the BSF by Col Muhammad Touhidur Rahman, sector commander of the BGB Sector Headquarters in Thakurgaon. The BGB labeled the killing an unjustified act of aggression. BNP's Mosharraf accuses India of trying to destabilise interim govt The body of Anwar Hossain was found within Bangladeshi territory. Sub-Inspector Mohammad Abu Taher of Panchagarh Sadar Police Station confirmed that the BGB assisted in recovering the body, which was taken to the police station. It will be handed over to the family following a post-mortem examination.

A suspected Bangladeshi cattle lifter was gunned down allegedly by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Panchagarh border on Friday morning, said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The development comes at the time when tension has heightened between the neighbouring countries over the attack on Bangladesh mission in Tripura’s Agartala. The deceased was identified as Anwar Hossain, son of Rafiqul Islam of Debangarh area under Debangarh union of the district’s Tetulia upazila. Some villagers, including Anwar, allegedly trespassed into India through Haribhasa union early Friday, said Lt. Col Sheikh Mohammad Badruddoza, commandant of the BGB-56 Battalion in Nilphamari, who visited the spot and talked to the media.  Panchagarh falls under the battalion. The BSF claimed that when the alleged smugglers tried to attack them with weapons, forcing them to retaliate by firing. Anwar died on the spot. Read: Bangladeshi youth ‘tortured by BSF’ near Feni border Later, the BSF took away his body, said the BGB official who talked to his BSF counterpart. Hearing the sound of firing from the border, the BGB also blank fired, he said. A flag meeting will be called to bring back the body, the BGB official said, adding that they will formally protest the incident.