BSF Never Open Fire on Bangladeshis: Indian Envoy

Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Vikram Doraiswami described the border killings as a tragedy and that it is unexpected for both countries.

"Border killings are undoubtedly tragic and unexpected for both countries. The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has been instructed not to open fire under any circumstances if they are not under attack. In any country, we do not want border deaths "On Monday in Dinajpur, he remarked.

After attending an event in the northern district town, he made these statements to the reporters.

On Sunday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen reiterated that the border killings are a matter of shame for India and unfortunate for Bangladesh as Bangladeshis are losing their lives.

“I always say, it’s unfortunate for us and it’s a matter of shame for India… I’ve no other answer to that,” he told a press briefing.

Indian High Commissioner Doraiswami, however, said on Monday that border killings have dropped significantly.

"If we take into account the statistics, there are fewer border killings now than at any other time. Any killings or injuries at the border are tragic for both countries. Such tragic incidents need to be resolved through joint actions," he said.

According to estimates by human rights organizations, at least 1,200 Bangladeshis were murdered and over 1,100 were injured in BSF gunfire at the Bangladesh-India border between 2000 and 2020.

In the year 2020 alone, 51 people were killed and 27 were injured, making it the worst year in recent memory.