Three Bangladeshi nationals shot down by Indian border guards

Dhaka, Jan 31 (UNI) Indian BSF today reportedly shot down three Bangladeshi nationals believed to be cattle traders on Bangladesh's northern frontier of Ratnai in Thakurgaon district.

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and local sources said Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel of Sonamati camp fired on the three cattle traders when they went close to the border at dawn to collect Indian cattle. All the three traders died on the spot.

They claimed Indian BSF dragged the bodies of the young traders into the Indian territories. BDR 20 battalion operations officer Major Tariqul Hakim told local reporters that they had ''already dispatched a letter to BSF strongly condemning'' the shooting incident.

They have sought return of the bodies.

The deceased were identified as Asiruddin, 20, Shahidul Islam, 26, and Akhtarul, 27. Killing of Bangladeshi cattle traders along the India-Bangladesh common borders is almost a common phenomenon.

UNI XC ARB RN1909