BSF opens fire at smugglers on border

GUWAHATI, Nov 27 – Firing by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed along the border with Bangladesh continued for the second successive day, as the troops had to open fire to prevent anti-national elements from crossing over with smuggled goods. Meanwhile, BSF seized smuggled goods worth more than Rs 40 lakh within the last 24 hours in the Assam-Meghalaya frontier.

BSF sources said that the troops seized 155 cattle heads, country boats, liquor and other contraband items in different parts of Dhubri, West Khasi Hills and Garo hills areas along the international border in the last 24 hours. The value of the seized items is estimated to the tune of around Rs 31 lakh.

Sources said that the BSF men deployed in the Salapara BOP in Dhubri district last night opened fire in self-defence on a group of smugglers. Sources revealed that the troops saw movement of smugglers in the area and when challenged, the smugglers attacked the BSF men with sharp weapons forcing the security men to open fire. The smugglers managed to escape under the cover of darkness but the BSF men managed to seize cattle worth Rs 10.80 lakh.

In another incident in the same area, BSF arrested one Sanwar Hussain of South Salmara and recovered cattle worth Rs 40,000 from him.