A gang of cattle traders allegedly attacked and chopped a member of India's Border Security Force (BSF) in Putkhali border area on Thursday.
BSF said in a statement that some 25-30 cattle smugglers equipped with locally made bombs, sharp weapons, sticks and high beam torches attacked a patrolling team of BSF at Angrail border outpost (BOP) opposite to 21 Border Guard Bangladesh BOP at Putkhali in Jashore.
It said, "One of the BSF members was chopped mercilessly by the cattle traders. At one stage, the BSF patrolling party challenged them but the smugglers continued their advance to Bangladesh."
"Sensing the gravity of the situation and danger to his life, BSF constable Anisur Rehman opened fire from pump action gun in a safe direction but smugglers did not pay any heed and threw locally made bombs at him," the statement said. It said the constable sustained splinter injury on several parts of his body and lost his right hand. His condition was stated to be very critical.
The statement said the use of non-lethal weapon policy by the BSF, as a responsible force which cares for human lives, is being exploited by cattle smugglers and thereby causing injuries to BSF troops deployed on the border.