BSF officer attacked by cattle smugglers in Tripura; critical

Suspected cattle smugglers attacked a BSF commanding officer along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura in the early hours today.

The second-in-command rank officer, Deepak K Mondal, commanding the 145th battalion of the border guarding force is critical and has been air evacuated to Kolkata, a senior official said.

The incident happened at about 2 am near the Belardepa border post at the border when the officer was allegedly hit by a four-wheeler being used by the smugglers.

He was patrolling the area with his team to check cattle smuggling and other illegal activities, he said.

"The officer has received serious head injuries and he is critical," try said.

An accompanying Border Security Force jawan fired five rounds from his AK rifle to control the situation, he said and added the area has been cordoned off.