Cooch Behar, 02nd August: A cattle smuggler was shot dead by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Cooch Behar on Wednesday morning. The incident took place in the Ichaganj border area under Bairagirhat Gram Panchayat of Mathabhanga on the Indo-Bangladesh border. The deceased has been identified as Mokleshwar Haque, a 35-year-old resident of Dinhata.
According to reports, a group of smugglers was trying to smuggle cattle across the border when they were stopped by the BSF personnel. The smugglers allegedly attacked the BSF team, and the team retaliated in self-defense. During the exchange of fire, Mokleshwar was shot.
A large contingent of police from Mathabhanga Police Station arrived at the spot and recovered sharp weapons, and subsequently rescued 5 cattle. The body of the deceased was also transported for post-mortem examination. The family of the deceased has claimed that Mokleshwar was not involved in the incident and that he had come to a relative’s house in Mathabhanga. The BSF has launched an investigation into the incident.