Alleged smuggler shot at Lalmonirhat border, rescued by BGB

Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) last night rescued an alleged drug and cattle smuggler who was shot at the Doikhawa border area under Lalmonirhat's Hatibandha upazila.

The injured was identified as Roni Islam, 22, of Gotamari village of the upazila, said Lt Col Mehedi Imam, commanding officer of Lalmonirhat 15 BGB Battalion.

He was rescued from the Doikhawa border around 12:30am, and is currently undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said the official.

According to him, a patrol team from the Doikhawa BGB camp was conducting routine patrol along the border around 12:10am when they suddenly heard gunshots. The team immediately moved towards the area, and saw several individuals running and attempting to remove a bullet-hit person from the spot.

Sensing the presence of BGB members, the others fled, leaving the injured person behind. Later, BGB members rescued him, who was identified as Roni Islam. He was shot in the leg.

The BGB official said Roni had earlier been injured on December 22 by pellet shots fired by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF). He has long been involved in smuggling drugs and cattle from India.

He said legal proceedings are underway against Roni.

Asked who fired shots, the BGB official said they are investigating the matter.