Sunday, April 17 2005 16:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guwahati: Terming as "unfortunate" the firing by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) near Akhowra check post in Tripura in which its Assistant Commandant was killed and two jawans injured, the Border Security Force (BSF) today (Apr 17, 2005) warned that such incidents can escalate tension in the area and said that it will deal with such acts very strongly.

"Just as we were signing an agreement to maintain peace on the border in Dhaka came the report of firing, which was really unfortunate," Border Security Force Director General R S Mooshahary, who returned from Dhaka today after holding talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, said in Guwahati.

"We are keeping a close watch on other sectors also but such acts will be dealt with very strongly which has been made clear to the BDR," he said.

He said that an Indian national was dragged into Bangladesh yesterday (Apr 16, 2005) and when Assistant Commandant Jeevan Kumar of Lankabari border outpost reached the spot he was fired at.

"Our men had stopped firing but due to lack of commitment and discipline, the BDR did not stop firing, as a result of which two other constables were injured," he said.

The firing only stopped after pressure from Dhaka but such incidents will escalate tension and the situation was very tense there, he said.

Mosshahary said that the Bangladesh Rifles should not be allowed to take the law into their hands.

On talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mooshahary said that an agreement was reached on coordinated patrolling along the border areas.

The BDR had also agreed to build fence around the 150 yards from the zero line but the topographical factors would be taken into consideration.