Two BSF members killed in insider shooting near Bangladesh border

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan allegedly opened fire on fellow personnel inside a BSF battalion headquarters near the Bangladesh border, killing two colleagues and critically injuring another in a rare incident that has sent shockwaves through India's border force.

The shooting took place around 4:00pm (local time) on Thursday (July 23) at the joint headquarters of the 71st and 119th BSF Battalions in the 17 Mile area of Baishnabnagar, Malda district, West Bengal, close to the Bangladesh frontier.

Malda Superintendent of Police Anupam Singh confirmed the incident.

According to preliminary findings, the accused jawan, Shivam Kumar Mishra, overpowered the sentry stationed at the main entrance, seized his service rifle and entered the barracks, where he allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on fellow personnel, many of whom had just returned from duty.

Three BSF members were shot and rushed to Malda Medical College and Hospital. Doctors later declared Ajay Kumar Singh, 51, a resident of Bihar's Saran district, and Suresh Durgu Ambedkar, 37, from Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, dead.

The third victim, Head Constable Bikash Brahma, 44, from West Bengal's Hooghly district, sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and remains under treatment. Speaking to reporters, he said he had just returned to the barracks after duty when he heard continuous gunfire and took cover under a bed before being hit.

Police said the accused, a resident of Chhattisgarh, had previously faced court-martial proceedings and had recently been released from BSF custody. Investigators are examining whether he is the same Shivam Kumar Mishra who was accused of fatally shooting a senior BSF head constable during a dispute at a Murshidabad camp last year. However, authorities have not yet independently confirmed that both incidents involve the same individual.

Shivam Kumar Mishra has been taken into custody, while police and BSF officials have launched parallel investigations into the incident. Investigators suspect the attack may have been motivated by resentment over disciplinary action taken against the accused following the earlier court-martial.

BSF Malda Sector Deputy Inspector General Surendra Kumar Jha said a high-level internal inquiry has been ordered to determine the circumstances behind the shooting. The families of the deceased and injured personnel have been informed.