Cross firing on Indo-Bangladesh border

Murshidabad (West Bengal), Jul 19: At least two Bangladeshi border guards were killed and scores of Indian border guards injured in cross firing at Indo-Bangladesh border. The clashes took place in West Bengal's' Murshidabad District. The local official in Murshidabad district said the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) men opened fire when guards of the Border Security Force (BSF) were chasing cattle smugglers at Nimtita area, forcing them to retaliate.

"The report I have received from the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), BSF that there was some trespass from the international border from the Bangladesh side. There were two to three causalities of BDR and some soldiers have been injured. I have asked the DIG, BSF to give me detailed report for onward transmission to the government," said Subir Kumar Bhadra, District Magistrate of Murshidabad.

Indian and Bangladeshi border guards often exchange fire along their 4,000-km porous border. They accused each other of frequently targeting civilians on the frontier, known for rampant smuggling and illegal migration.

Both sides accused each other of helping smugglers as well.

ANI