A shootout broke out between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian smugglers at the Barlekha border in Moulvibazar. An Indian smuggler identified as Bolai Das was captured, injured, during the exchange. A foreign-made pistol, two rounds of ammunition and 500 yaba tablets were recovered from him.
BGB 52 Battalion Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ataur Rahman said they had received intelligence that an Indian smuggling ring was attempting to bring narcotics and illegal weapons into Bangladesh through the Kumarshail border in Barlekha.
Acting on this information, a special patrol team from Beanibazar Battalion took up position and conducted an operation in the Kumarshail area around 10 p.m. Thursday. When the patrol challenged the suspected smugglers, they attacked BGB personnel. BGB opened fire in self-defense. Several smugglers fled, but Indian national Bolai Das was captured, injured. A foreign-made pistol, two rounds of ammunition and 500 yaba tablets were later recovered from him.