Tuesday, April 19 2005 19:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Strongly protesting the "premeditated and pre-planned" killing of a senior BSF officer by men of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), India has warned Dhaka that its "repercussions" cannot be ignored.

Bangladesh Acting High Commissioner in Delhi Masud bin Momen was summoned to the South Block yesterday (Apr 18, 2005) and was conveyed India's "deep disappointment and regret" over the killing of BSF Assistant Commandant Jeewan Kumar on Saturday (Apr 16, 2005). According to reports, Kumar while trying to secure the release of a villager on Tripura's border with Bangladesh was dragged across the Zero Line by men of the BDR, tortured and killed.

Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Neelam Deo conveyed to the Bangladesh envoy that the entire incident appeared to be "premeditated and pre-planned."

He was told that the repercussions of the incident could not be ignored, External Affairs Ministry spokesman said today (Apr 19, 2005).

The MEA official told the Bangladesh envoy that, "The entire incident appeared premeditated and pre-planned".

She also, "conveyed our deep disappointment and regret over this incident and stated that its repercussions could not be ignored," the spokesman said.

A spot inquiry has established that Kumar, who was the Company Commander, and Constable K K Surendran were dragged inside Bangladesh territory and attacked by the BDR.

Kumar's body, found inside Bangladesh territory, bore marks of bullets fired from point blank range and injuries from sharp cutting weapons.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka said that it was surprised and deeply disturbed to see press reports that a fierce gun battle had erupted on the Akhaura border, during which it was alleged that BSF personnel entered Bangladesh territory on April 16 and opened fire on the BDR, killing three Bangladeshi nationals.

In fact, some villagers reported to the BSF border outpost at Lankamura, Tripura at 04: 30 (IST) hours on April 16 that an Indian national, Ramdhan Pal, had been abducted and taken forcibly into Bangladeshi territory.

Immediately, Kumar along with three others rushed to the spot and tried to talk to the BDR personnel. "Instead of peacefully resolving the problem, the BDR, accompanied by armed Bangladeshi civilians, started firing on the BSF party who were about 50 yards from the Zero Line, well within Indian territory, injuring Constable Venu Gopal.