Friday, April 22 2005 12:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Agartala: Border Security Force (BSF) has refuted the charge of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) that it had heavily deployed forces on the Indo-Bangladesh border near the Akahura check post in Agartala following killing of an Assistant Commandant of BSF by BDR on April 16.

BSF sources said a commandant level flag meeting between BSF and BDR was held last night (Apr 21, 2005) at Akhaura check post on requisition of BDR.

At the meeting, the commandant of VII battalion of BDR, K A Khan said that tension was running high on the 20 km stretch of border areas in Bangladesh following heavy deployment of forces by BSF and aerial survey by a BSF helicopter.

BSF commandant of the 131 battalion, Mrityunjoy Kumar while refuting the charges of BDR said that BSF had not increased its strength on the border nor was it carrying out any aerial vigilance over Bangladesh and added that at present there was no BSF helicopter in the State.

Kumar said there might be tension on the Bangladesh side but there was no tension on the border on the Indian side and added tension prevailed on the Bangladesh side following the killing of a BSF officer in a premeditated, pre-planned and cold-blooded manner by the BDR.

An Assistant Commandant of BSF, Jeevan Kumar and two jawans were dragged from Indian Territory when they reached Lankamura in West Tripura district following receipt of information that one Indian villager, Ramdhan Paul was kidnapped by BDR personnel in plain dress.

Later Jeevan Kumar was shot dead and two jawans injured in a preplanned manner in the name of exchange of fire between BDR and BSF.