Shillong: A pre-dawn confrontation along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on July 12 left two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel injured after they were pelted with stones by suspected cattle smugglers. The incident, near the Khasimara river, unfolded when vigilant BSF troops observed a significant movement of cattle and individuals attempting to cross into Indian territory from the Bangladeshi side.
According to an FIR filed with the Meghalaya Police, BSF personnel initially spotted a group of 30 to 40 cattle accompanied by approximately 20 individuals on the Bangladeshi side. When challenged, the situation escalated rapidly as these miscreants, reportedly bolstered by another contingent of 40 to 50 individuals from across the border, allegedly launched a volleys of stones at the BSF jawans. In the ensuing melee, two BSF personnel sustained injuries. The BSF, in a statement, confirmed that their troops resorted to firing warning shots and blank rounds in self-defence to disperse the aggressive mob. Following the BSF’s response, the attackers fled the scene, leaving behind 13 cattle heads which were subsequently recovered by the border guards. Authorities have initiated a further investigation into the matter.
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