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A 25-year-old Bangladeshi man was shot dead allegedly by Indian Khasi villagers after crossing into India’s Meghalaya state through the Gowainghat border in Sylhet early Saturday.
The deceased was identified as Minhaj Uddin, son of Komor Uddin of Bhadeshwar village under West Jaflong Union in Gowainghat upazila.
According to police and local witnesses, Minhaj crossed the Sonarhat-Lakhat border into Indian territory around 3:00 am. While he was near Lakhat Station, he allegedly came under gunfire from Indian Khasi villagers, leaving him critically injured. He died while being brought back to Bangladesh for treatment.
Local residents said Minhaj was involved in bringing various goods from India through the border for sale in Bangladesh. However, the exact reason for his crossing the border at the time of the incident remains unclear.
Commanding Officer of the 48 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Md. Nazmul Haque, said preliminary investigations indicate that Minhaj had entered about one kilometre inside Indian territory.
“He was reportedly shot by Indian Khasi villagers while allegedly entering the area for theft or another unlawful purpose. He was brought back to Bangladesh but died on the way to hospital,” the BGB official said.
He added that BGB has intensified patrols and surveillance along the border, while an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
West Jaflong Union Parishad member Kamal Uddin said he visited the victim’s home after learning of the incident and informed the police and BGB authorities.
Gowainghat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Omar Faruk said a police team led by the station’s second officer, Tanvir Fayaz, visited the scene after receiving information about the death.
The body has been prepared for an inquest and will be sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for an autopsy. Legal proceedings are underway, he added.
