Thakurgaon, Sep 09 (V7N) — A 15-year-old Bangladeshi teenager, Jayant Kumar Singh, was shot and killed by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Kantivita border area in Dhantala Union, Baliadangi Upazila, Thakurgaon, on Wednesday night. The boy’s father, Mahadev Kumar Singh, was also shot while trying to retrieve his son's body. He, along with another injured person, has been admitted to a hospital for treatment.

The tragic incident occurred when Jayant allegedly attempted to cross into India. Upon noticing the teenager near the border, the BSF opened fire, killing him on the spot. Following this, Mahadev Kumar Singh went to the border to retrieve his son's body but was shot in the leg by the BSF. Another individual, Bangthu Mohammad of Nitaldoba village, was also injured during the incident. Both are now receiving medical treatment at a clinic in Rangpur.

Samar Kumar Chattopadhyay, Chairman of Dhantala Union, confirmed the incident and said, "The boy went to cross the border and was shot by the BSF. His father was also shot when he tried to bring the body back."

The body of the deceased remains in the custody of the BSF, according to Officer-in-Charge Firoz Kabir of Baliadangi Police Station. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting. Thakurgaon Battalion (50 BGB) Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Tanzir Ahmad also confirmed hearing of the incident and said an investigation is underway.

This tragic event follows a similar occurrence on September 1, when another Bangladeshi teenager, Swarna Das, was killed by BSF firing at the Juri border in Moulvibazar. In response to these incidents, the Bangladesh government has lodged a formal protest with the Indian government, condemning the actions and expressing deep concern. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh reminded India that such actions are in violation of the 1975 India-Bangladesh Directive on Border Authorities, deeming the killings "undesirable and unjustified."

The government has reiterated its call to prevent such incidents and urged both nations to strengthen their cooperation in maintaining peace along the shared border.

END/TC/AJ