Representative image of BSF personnel
Credit: PTI Photo
Guwahati: A Bangladesh national was injured in firing by BSF personnel in Tripura on Tuesday after he allegedly crossed the border without valid documents and tried to attack the border personnel.
The person, identified as Akhtar Jamal Roni, was admitted to a hospital at Agartala with penetrative injuries on his face and neck, doctors said.
The Tripura frontier of the BSF on Wednesday said the incident took place at around 6 pm when BSF troops posted at Putia in Sepahijala district detected two persons. including a woman, approaching from the Bangladesh side to breach the border.
"Despite multiple warnings from the BSF sentry, the individuals ignored the instructions and engaged in a scuffle with the sentry, attempting to snatch his pump action gun. In self-defense and following standard operating procedure, the sentry fired one round, resulting in a minor injury to the male individual, while the female managed to escape into a nearby village," BSF said in a statement.
The BSF said the person admitted that the duo entered from Bangladesh without legal documents. The case was handed over to police in Tripura for necessary legal action.
"The BSF remains fully committed to ensuring the security and integrity of the international border, taking all necessary measures to prevent unauthorised crossings."
The BSF intensified vigil along the border with Bangladesh in view of a rise in infiltration following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina government in July last year. The BSF and the state police arrested several "illegal migrants" and smugglers. According to the state government, many workers fled Bangladesh and crossed the border illegally in search of work as several garment factories were closed following the change of government.
Tripura shares 856 km border with Bangladesh but nearly 30 kms have still remained unfenced.
On Tuesday, BSF IG Ashwini Kumar Sharma met Tripura CM Manik Saha at Agartala and briefed him about the situation on the border.