The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance and search operations along several points of the Benapole border following the shooting of Khulna divisional chief of National Citizen Party (NCP).
The matter was confirmed by Lt Col Saifullah Siddiqui, commanding officer of the 49 BGB Battalion.
Md Motaleb Shikdar, also a central organiser of Jatiya Sramik Shakti -- an associate body of the NCP -- was shot by miscreants around 11:45am near Gazi Medical College Hospital in the district town.
Following the incident, BGB stepped up security along the Benapole border to prevent the suspected attackers from fleeing to India.
Sources at 49 BGB Jashore Battalion said extensive search and surveillance operations are underway along a 70-kilometre stretch of the border under the battalion's jurisdiction. Patrols have been increased in sensitive and high-risk areas, intelligence surveillance has been strengthened, and additional BGB personnel have been deployed. Border areas without barbed-wire fencing have effectively been sealed off.
Lt Col Saifullah said BGB remains on the highest level of alert to ensure that those involved in the attack on Motaleb Shikdar cannot cross the border under any circumstances.
The shooting has sparked concern in political circles, while law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to arrest those responsible.
According to police and hospital sources, Motaleb was critically injured and was immediately taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital. He was later referred to a private diagnostic centre for a CT scan.
He is now out of danger, said Md Rafikul Islam, inspector (investigation) of Sonadanga Model Police Station.
FP/MI
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