Bangladesh border forces kill Indian guard, wound another, India says

News Service
17:0017/10/2019, Thursday
U: 17/10/2019, Thursday
REUTERS
File photo: Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)
File photo: Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)

Bangladeshi border forces shot and killed an Indian border guard and wounded another on Thursday after detaining an Indian fisherman, Indian officials said, in a rare reported clash between the two sides.

Three Indian fishermen were caught by Bangladeshi officers and two were later released, India's Border Security Force (BSF) said in a statement.

Border officials met to discuss the detained fisherman, the BSF said. Bangladeshi guards refused to release him and instead tried to surround the Indian troops.

"Sensing the situation worsening", Indian troops turned back, but the Bangladeshi troops opened fire, the BSF added.

A spokesman for the Bangladesh Border Guard said he was unaware of any clash. "We are checking," he said.

India and Bangladesh share close ties and struck a series of deals this month when Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited New Delhi.

The countries share a border stretching more than 4,000 km (2,400 miles) where clashes have intermittently erupted over what India terms illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

#Bangladeshi border forces
#Indian guard
#killed