Staff Correspondent:

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday expressed regret over the assault of five Bangladeshi citizens after illegally entering into Bangladesh’s territory at the Phulbari border in Kurigram.

The BSF has also assured that action will be taken against the responsible personnel.

During a battalion commander-level flag meeting between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and BSF, the BSF provided these assurances following strong protests from the BGB.

Lieutenant Colonel Shakil Alam, the commanding officer of the 15th BGB Battalion in Lalmonirhat, confirmed the development.

According to BGB and border sources, the flag meeting took place on the premises of a local resident named Abdullah, near sub-pillar 4-S of international border pillar 929 in Gorokmandal Namatari, Naodanga union of Phulbari upazila.

The BGB strongly protested the incident of BSF personnel entering Bangladeshi territory and assaulting civilians.

Following the meeting, the BGB said that they had firmly protested the incident, prompting the BSF to express regret.

The BSF explained that the involved personnel were newly transferred from the Kashmir front and were unaware that they had entered Bangladesh.

They assured that the accused personnel would be dealt with under their internal regulations and pledged that such incidents would not recur in the future.

Lieutenant Colonel Shakil Alam of BGB 15 Battalion said: “The meeting was held, and we strongly protested the incident. The BSF expressed regret and mentioned that their personnel were newly stationed here from the Kashmir front. They unintentionally entered Bangladesh. The BSF assured us that administrative action would be taken against those involved and that such incidents would not happen again.”

He also mentioned that further details would be shared through an official press release.

Earlier, on Friday afternoon, five BSF personnel crossed into Bangladesh near pillar 8-S of international border pillar 930 in West Balatari, Naodanga union of Phulbari.

They entered the West Balatari village near the Baromasia River and assaulted five Bangladeshi citizens.

However, after facing strong resistance from the locals, the BSF personnel retreated.

The incident created tension in the area until BGB patrol teams arrived to control the situation and disperse the crowd.