The High Commission of India in Dhaka has been greatly surprised and deeply disturbed to see press reports on 17th April 2005 stating that a fierce gun-battle had erupted on the Akhaura border, during which, it is alleged, BSF personnel entered Bangladeshi territory at 1700 Hrs. on 16th April 2005 and opened fire on BDR, killing three Bangladeshi nationals.
In actual fact, some villagers reported to the BSF Border Outpost at Lankamura, Tripura, at 1630 Hrs. on 16.04.2005 that an Indian national, Ramdhan Pal, had been abducted and taken forcibly into Bangladeshi territory. Immediately BSF Company Commander Jeevan Kumar, Assistant Commandant, along with three others rushed to the spot and tried to talk to BDR personnel. Instead of peacefully resolving the problem, the BDR, who were accompanied by armed Bangladeshi civilians, started firing on the BSF party who were about 50 yards from the zero line, well within Indian territory, injuring Constable Venu Gopal.
DG, BSF, who was in Dhaka, consulted DG, BDR and it was decided that both sides should stop firing immediately. Accordingly, BSF stopped firing at 1900 Hrs. Unfortunately, BDR continued intermittent fire, including with automatic weapons, until 2120 Hrs.
A meeting was held between CO 131 Bn BSF and CO 7 R Bn BDR at 2045 Hrs. and the matter jointly verified. After a prolonged search Constable K.K. Surendran was found inside Bangladesh territory with serious multiple injuries. The body of Assistant Commandant Jeevan Kumar bearing marks of bullet injury fired from point blank range and injuries from sharp cutting weapons, was also found inside Bangladeshi territory.
From the marks on the ground, the spot enquiry established that Assistant Commandant Jeevan Kumar and Constable K.K. Surendran were dragged inside Bangladesh territory and attacked by the BDR, resulting in the death of the Assistant Commandant. The entire incident appears to be pre-planned and pre-meditated, as the BDR had opened fire on the BSF party without any provocation whatsoever.
DG, BSF, while speaking to Indian media on departure, has strongly condemned this incident, describing it as a cruel and provocative act, taking place as it did during the on-going talks between DG, BDR and DG, BSF in Dhaka.
The Government of India unequivocally condemns the brutal killing of the BSF Assistant Commandant by the BDR. This is highly reprehensible and not in keeping with the spirit of dialogue and mutual understanding sought to be created by the just concluded talks between DG, BSF and DG, BDR.
Dhaka
April 17, 2005
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The Ministry of External Affairs, meanwhile, has the following official response:
"The acting-High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Delhi was called in by Joint Secretary (BSM) in the Ministry of External Affairs on 18th April to convey India’s strong protest over the killing of BSF commander.
"Joint Secretary (BSM) conveyed our deep disappointment and regret over this incident and stated that its repercussions could not be ignored. She also conveyed the view that the entire incident appeared premeditated and pre-planned."
New Delhi
