Smuggler youth injured in BSF firing in Ashabari area under Sonamura subdivision

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, December 3, 2025

In the familiar pattern of smuggling and retribution along the Indo-Bangladesh border a smuggler youth sustained a bullet injury when a group of BSF jawans (81 battalion) opened fire upon a gang of smugglers at Ashabari border under Kalamchaura police station in Sonamura subdivision last night. The injured smuggler youth was identified as Mohammed Alkas (28) and the firing has triggered tension in border areas of Kalamchaura police station.

Police sources from Kalamchaura said that around 12-00 last night a gang of smugglers from the Indian side had been trying to send large bundles of Indian ‘Saree’ and cosmetic products to Bangladesh over and across the border fencing . This caught the attention of a BSF patrol party (81 battalion) and they tried to stop the smuggling activity but this resulted in a clash as the smugglers allegedly tried to attack the patrolling BSF jawans. It was in self-defence that the BSF patrol party opened fire and hurled a hand grenade and even though the grenade did not cause any injury the firing by BSF jawans inflicted bullet injury on one of the smuggler youths , later identified as Mohammed Alkas (28). He was shifted from the spot by the local people , first to Boxanagar health centre and then to GBP hospital and is stated to be in a stable condition now.

Sources said that in a similar incident at Putia area along the porous border the BSF jawans foiled another smuggling attempt by another gang of miscreants yesterday around 12-30 PM. Having sighted the smuggling party the BSF jawans tried first to stop them but then had to open fire in the face of provocation. No one was however injured in the firing . The twin incidents have however sparked tension along the border area in Sonamura.

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