BSF-BDR mobilise force, tension continues

Harinagar, Indo-Bangladesh border, Aug 11 (UNI) The Border Security Force and Bangladesh Rifles are deploying troops on both sides of the international border amid eerie silence broken only by speeding vehicles of the BSF.

There was calm at the moment after yesterday's firing.

On the Indian side there were two casualties and on the Bangladesh side there was one casualty but yet the border saw seven hours of gun battle and 10,000 rounds were fired yesterday.

Since this morning there was no firing but tension had been continuing although border flag meeting would be held on August 13.

The BSF had claimed death of five BDR personnel but there was no independent verification.

The Bangladesh media said only one died due to heart attack during the attack. The largest Bangladeshi newspaper ''Daily Star'' today reported that the BSF dug trenches along the border in the past few days and amassed troops. It said six BDR personnel sustained minor injuries from mortar splinters close to Shitalong Shah's shrine near Amolshid border.

Meanwhile, the residents of at least 11 villages along 32-km Cachar sector who fled their houses yesterday are yet to return.

At least 3,000 people had left their houses and taken shelter either in relief camps or houses of their relatives in safe places after shelling between the two forces continued for 12 hours on Wednesday night.

MORE UNI TEAM MT SJC PA HT1805