Indian national arrested after 'gunfight' at Moulvibazar border: BGB

An Indian national has been arrested after being injured in a gunfight with members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along the Moulvibazar border. One foreign pistol, two rounds of ammunition and 500 Yaba tablets were recovered from him, according to the BGB.

The incident occurred late on Thursday night in the Kumarshail border area of Barlekha, the BGB said in a press release.

Lt Col Ataur Rahman, commander of BGB-52 Battalion (Bianibazar), said a BGB patrol team took position in the area on Thursday night based on information that several Indian smugglers were trafficking drugs and firearms into Bangladesh through the Kumarshail border.

When a group of suspected smugglers arrived there a while later, the BGB members ordered them to stop. The BGB claimed that the group then opened fire on them. The BGB members fired back in self-defence.

The BGB said the suspected smugglers fled at one point. However, a man identified as Balai Das was found injured at the scene and was subsequently taken into custody. The BGB confirmed he is an Indian citizen.

One foreign pistol, two rounds of ammunition and 500 Yaba tablets were recovered from the arrested Balai Das.

The BGB said operations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the alleged smuggling ring who fled the scene.