Bangla Rifles open firing at Indian border in WB

Basirhat (West Bengal), Jul 6: A teen-aged girl was injured when Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) opened an unprovoked firing at a BSF patrol party, who successfully seized many cattle heads from some Bangladeshi smugglers at a rivernine post in this eastern part of country today, official sources said.

The BDR showered bullets at the Indian border since 0430 hours at Jalalpur under Hasnabad police station in north 24 Parganas.

BDR opened firing when a BSF patrol party, who was returning after intercepting a group of Bangladehsi smugglers, who were fleeing with 25 stolen cattle heads across Ichamati river.

The river divides Indo-Bangla border.

The girl, yet to be identified, was admitted to a local hospital with bullet injuries in her hand, sources said.

The BSF immediately retaliated after being unprovoked attack, BSF commander T N Kundu confirmed.

BSF seized the cattles but the Bangladeshi smugglers fled back to their country.

BSF sources said about 7000 to 7500 shots were fired at the Indian side by the BDR while BSF shot back around 800 rounds.

The firing was on till the report was filed leaving the residents of the area in panick, official sources said.

Senior BSF and civil officials rushed to the area to monitor the situation.

UNI