Agartala, May 9: Tension prevailed along the India-Bangladesh international border in Tripura’s Sepahijala district after two Bangladeshis allegedly involved in cross-border smuggling died in firing near the Zero Point.

According to media reports, the incident occurred when BSF jawans on patrol detected a group attempting to smuggle fish fingerlings illegally across the border from the Indian side into Bangladesh. The personnel reportedly asked the group to stop and retreat from the area.

Despite repeated warnings, the suspected smugglers allegedly advanced towards the border and started attacking the security personnel with stones and bricks. As the situation escalated, the troops resorted to firing from Pump Action Guns (PAG) in what officials described as an act of self-defence.

Two persons sustained injuries in the firing and were rushed to nearby government hospitals for treatment. However, both later died during treatment.

The deceased were identified as Nabir Hussain (40) and Md Mursalin (22), both reportedly residents of Bangladesh.

After completion of post-mortem formalities, the bodies were kept in the hospital mortuary. The Tripura Frontier of the BSF has started the process of handing over the bodies to the Bangladesh authorities.