BSF releases detained farmer at Dinajpur border after flag meeting

Tensions flared at the Bangladesh-India border in Biral upazila, Dinajpur on Friday after members of India's Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly detained a Bangladeshi farmer from Bangladeshi territory on Friday morning, said BGB officials. The farmer was later returned to Bangladeshi authorities following a flag meeting.

The detained farmer, Md Al Amin 18, son of Reazuddin from Dipnagar village, was reportedly detained by BSF personnel around 10:30am while heading to his farmland.

Lt Col Ahsanul Islam, the commanding officer of 20 BGB Battalion, said that the BSF team crossed into Bangladeshi territory while pursuing a group of smugglers on Friday morning. After failing to catch the smugglers, they reportedly forcibly took Al Amin to Indian territory near the 323rd border pillar after detaining him from Bangladeshi territory at Dipnagar village under Biral upazila of Dinajpur.

Villagers alleged that BSF members beat the young farmer, sparking panic and outrage in the local community.

The BGB immediately tightened the security in the area to prevent further escalation.

Officials of the 42 BGB Battalion lodged a formal protest with their Indian counterparts and demanded immediate release of detained Md Al Amin.

Lt Col Ahsanul Islam, Commanding Officer of the 42 BGB Battalion, confirmed that both sides agreed to hold a flag meeting to resolve the issue, which was lasted for an hour after starting at around 3:30pm.