High Commission of India, Dhaka
June 14, 2006PRESS RELEASE
The High Commission of India, Dhaka views with concern the latest incident of unprovoked firing by the BDR on a BSF patrol party on Ichhamati river on June 12, 2006.
2. The following are the facts of the incident that have been conveyed by the concerned Indian authorities after their investigations:
BSF boat patrol party from border outpost Soladana, while patrolling in river Ichhamati on June 12, seized, at about 1850 hrs, 15 cattle heads that were being smuggled into Bangladesh. However, the BSF patrol party, which was well inside Indian territory, came under unprovoked fire from the BDR forces from border outpost Padmashankar. This resulted in the death of a BSF constable, Rajender Kumar Sharma.
3. The High Commission of India is dismayed at what appears to be an attempt by the BDR to provide protection to cattle smugglers while, at the same time, indulging in a disinformation campaign of shifting the blame on to the BSF for such incidents. That such actions by the BDR have led to the tragic loss of life of a BSF constable is particularly shocking.
. The High Commission of India strongly emphasises the need for restraint and professional conduct by the BDR in order to ensure maintenance of peace and tranquility along the border.
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