The Indian Border Security Force has once again promised to bring down the border killing to zero by adopting extra precautionary measures while the Border Guard Bangladesh has renewed its call for an end to such violence against Bangladeshi nationals on the frontier.
Bangladesh has also protested at the recent push-in of people through the border by the BSF in the 56th director general-level border conference at BGB鈥檚 Pilkhana headquarters in the capital Dhaka.
The four-day conference concluded on Thursday.
Replying to a query at a joint press briefing on Thursday, BGB director general Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui said that the issue of border killing received top priority during the talks.
鈥楤oth pledged to halt the use of lethal weapons at the frontier, to strengthen night patrols in vulnerable areas, and to prevent a recurrence of shootings,鈥� he said.
Killing of the Bangladeshi nationals by the BSF along the border has continued despite repeated promises from the Indian border force. At least 22 Bangladesh nationals were killed by the BSF in the first seven months of 2025.
According to human rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra, at least 30 Bangladeshis were killed by the BSF in 2024 and 31 in 2023.
About the border killing and the BSF鈥檚 use of lethal force, BSF director general Daljit Singh Chaudhary defended his force鈥檚 action and claimed that BSF personnel had been making concerted efforts over the past 15 years to avoid using lethal force along the India-Bangladesh border.
Saying that firearms were used only as a 鈥榣ast resort鈥�, he said that BSF troops first issued warnings, then attempted to deter infiltration through non-lethal means, and opened fire only when there was an imminent threat to life.
鈥業n the first six months of this year alone, 35 BSF personnel were seriously injured in attacks involving sharp weapons by 鈥渋nfiltrators鈥�,鈥� he claimed.
His remarks, however, drew criticism from BGB chief Ashrafuzzaman, who voiced deep concern over recent fatal shootings along the border.
Condemning the killings along the border, the BGB chief cited the incidents of killing of Bangladeshis even minors by the BSF in broad daylight.
鈥楬ow could a child pose a threat to an armed border force?鈥� he questioned.
He called for greater accountability and restraint in the use of force.
At the briefing, reporters asked Daljit Singh questions over the BSF鈥檚 forced push-in of individuals, including Indian nationals and Rohingyas, into Bangladesh.
Replying to the queries, the BSF director general avoided a direct answer, claiming that illegal Bangladeshi nationals found in India were being handed over to the BGB following proper legal procedures.
鈥楽o far, 550 people have been handed over to the BGB, while the verification is ongoing for 2,400 cases with assistance from the Bangladesh High Commission,鈥� the BSF chief said.
Regarding media reports that an Indian citizen鈥檚 child was pushed into Bangladesh, Daljit Singh said that India would provide support if the matter was reported through proper channels.
Asked whether push-ins were based on religion or language, he stated that both the countries had well-established legal repatriation procedures for border law violations.
鈥楢ny Indian national found crossing the border illegally will be accepted back immediately with the help of the law,鈥� he added.
The BSF and the Indian Navy have pushed more than 2,000 people, including 173 Rohingyas with 50 registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in India, and Indian nationals, into Bangladesh since May 7.
The 55th DG-level conference of the two border forces was held in February 17鈥�20 in New Delhi of India, where the BSF made the similar promises.
Ashrafuzzaman led the 21-member Bangladesh delegation, while Daljit Singh led the 11-member Indian delegation in the four-day conference in Dhaka.
At the conference, the two border forces agreed to launch joint awareness campaigns, promote socio-economic development projects in high-risk border areas, and work together to uphold the sanctity of the frontier while preventing criminals from exploiting it.
Both delegations reiterated their 鈥榸ero tolerance鈥� stance against any armed insurgent groups operating across the border and agreed to take necessary measures to prevent any kind of terrorist activities through real-time information sharing, and not to undertake any development activities within 150 yards of the zero line without prior approval, and to expedite completion of the ongoing development works in border areas.
In an effort to curb misinformation, both sides also committed to advising their respective media to avoid publishing reports that could exacerbate border tensions.
Both DGs reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation for lasting peace and stability along the 4,156-kilometre India-Bangladesh border.
