The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that three Bangladeshi nationals who were killed in India’s Tripura state were armed smugglers. These individuals had illegally crossed into Indian territory and subsequently attacked local villagers, resulting in the death of one villager and injuries to others. The MEA spokesperson detailed that the incident occurred on October 15, 2025, approximately 3 kilometers inside Indian borders, near Bidyabil village.
The group of three crossed the international border with the intent to steal cattle. When confronted by villagers, the smugglers retaliated violently, using weapons such as iron dahs and knives. Authorities arrived at the scene to find two smugglers deceased, with the third succumbing to his injuries the following day. The mortal remains of all three individuals have since been returned to Bangladesh, and a police case has been registered.
The MEA highlighted the incident as a stark reminder of the need for enhanced cross-border cooperation. They emphasized that Bangladesh must take appropriate measures to ensure the integrity of the international boundary and assist in fencing efforts to curb cross-border crimes, including smuggling.
This clarification from the MEA followed a strong protest from the Government of Bangladesh, which condemned the killings as brutal and unacceptable, demanding a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter.