Two Bangladeshi youths were shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and the Khasi guards along the Sylhet border on Friday, according to local authorities.

The incident took place around 12:00pm at the Dumduma border under Uttar Ranikai Union of Companiganj upazila in Sylhet.

The victims were identified as Ashikur Rahman, 19, son of Buran Uddin, and Moshaid, 22, son of the late Rob Mia.

Both hailed from Purbo Turung village near the Dumduma border.

Sources from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police said Ashikur was shot dead by Indian Khasi guards while collecting firewood at a place called Parihat, about 600 yards inside Indian territory near sub-pillar No-2 of main pillar 1260 at the Dumduma border.

Family members later recovered his body and brought it back to Bangladesh. His body has been kept at the Companiganj Upazila Health Complex.

At around the same time, Moshaid was shot dead by the BSF in the Radne area near the Dumduma border on the Indian side, sources said.

According to the BGB, Moshaid’s body is currently in the custody of the BSF at the Toka camp in India.

BSF personnel reportedly informed the BGB by phone that one Bangladeshi national had been killed.

Quoting the BGB, Officer-in-Charge of Companiganj Police Station Shafiqul Islam told the media that two Bangladeshi youths were killed by BSF and Khasi gunfire across the border.

He said Ashikur’s body has been brought back to Bangladesh, while discussions are ongoing with the BSF to repatriate Moshaid’s body.