If another killing occurs, we will take an even tougher stance.

— Bgb Chief Maj Gen Ashrafuzzaman

The chief of Border Guard Bangladesh issued a stern warning yesterday, saying that continued killings by the Indian Border Security Force will prompt a "stronger response".

"We have made it very clear that such incidents are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances," BGB Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui said. 

"If this goes on, then how long can we continue to arrest and handover  the Indian intruders in line with the legal framework, the way we now do?" he added.

His remarks came in reply to a reporter's query after a flag raising ceremony in Cox's Bazar as another Bangladeshi was killed in BSF firing, along the border in Brahmanbaria.

Maj Gen Siddiqui said killing can never be the ultimate solution to any situation and BGB will continue protesting such incidents. "If another killing occurs, we will take an even tougher stance."

According to BGB, 24 Bangladeshis were killed along the border last year, including 19 by BSF and five by Indian nationals. The number of Bangladeshis injured by BSF and Indian nationals last year was 68 and nine respectively.

The latest victim is Md Al-Amin, 32, who was shot dead by BSF at the Putia border of Kasba upazila in Brahmanbaria on Friday evening.

Citing BGB, Kasba Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Samiul Islam said Al-Amin, son of Sultan Miah from South Putia village, was spotted roaming beyond the barbed-wire fence on the Putia border. Suspecting him to be a smuggler, BSF personnel opened fire, critically injuring him. Later, BSF rescued him and took him to Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Hospital in India, where he succumbed to his injuries later.

Naik Subedar Abu Bakkar, in charge of the Saldanadi camp under BGB's Battalion-60, said BSF fired a single round of rubber bullet at Al-Amin.

BSF did not yet return the body, he said. Senior officials were informed, and a flag meeting between the commanding officers of BGB and BSF was scheduled to be held to determine the next course of action.

Citing BSF, BGB chief Maj Gen Siddiqui said the Indian border force fired rubber bullets during a clash with individuals attempting to cross the border illegally. Al-Amin died after he was hit by a bullet in a vulnerable spot.

Sharing images with BGB, BSF also claimed that one of their personnel was injured during the clash, the BGB chief said.

"We have always emphasised that illegal crossings must be tackled with lawful means, not through killings. If these incidents continue, we will escalate our protests and take a stricter approach to border management," he warned.

The BGB DG further said, "At the same time, everyone should try to ensure that no one crosses over there (to India) illegally. We, the BGB, are trying. The administration is trying. And the locals are trying, yet we are failing to prevent some individuals from crossing the zero line."

"We will continue our efforts in two ways—one through discussions with BSF and another through human rights organisations, and the third is that no one can cross the zero line," he added.

Speaking at the event as chief guest, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stressed the need to strengthen BGB's capacity to ensure border security.

"Today, we have added three more units to the 64 BGB Battalion, enhancing our capability. But we need to further expand our border security measures," he said.

On the Rohingya issue, he said the influx of refugees remains a challenge. Around 60,000 Rohingya have entered Bangladesh recently, according to him.

"While we continue to emphasise border security, humanitarian concerns and international pressure must also be considered," he said.

Regarding the death of Al-Amin at the Brahmanbaria border, Jahangir said such incidents continue to occur despite high-level discussions between BGB and BSF.

"We are working to reduce the number of such incidents, but the situation remains complex," the adviser said.

[Our Correspondent in Brahmanbaria contributed to this report]