A jawan of the Border Security Force (BSF) sustained serious head injuries after he was attacked by trans-border smugglers while he was on duty near the Indo-Bangla international border at Boxanagar in Sepahijala district of Tripura on Friday. The injured jawan was identified as Harish Chandra Pandey who was posted with the 105th battalion of the BSF, officials said. Speaking to reporters, a BSF Public Relations Officer (PRO) said, "A scuffle broke out between the BSF head constable and the miscreants who were trying to smuggle contraband on October 4 at 8.30 am in the Kalsimura Border Out Post area of West Tripura district.” The PRO added, “When the BSF head constable tried to stop them, the miscreants assaulted him with dao (sickle) and bamboo and tried to snatch his personal weapon. In order to save himself, and the weapon, the BSF head constable fired one round from his rifle after which the miscreants fled the spot.” Stating that the BSF personnel, who sustained injuries on his head, was admitted at the Boxanagar Community Health Centre for treatment and later referred to Agartala, the BSF PRO also said that an FIR is being lodged against the miscreants. "He sustained cut injuries on top of his head. We have ensured primary treatment and advised him to visit the GBP Hospital in Agartala for a CT scan. However, his condition is stable," said an attending doctor of the Boxanagar CHC where Pandey was treated. A doctor at the community health centre also said that the jawan was administered 15 stitches and was referred to perform more tests before any serious complications could be completely ruled out. The suspected smuggler was learnt to have been absconding till latest reports came in. However, personnel from the local police station joined the BSF in an extensive manhunt to apprehend the accused. Earlier in March this year, a Bangladeshi smuggler was killed and two BSF personnel were injured in a clash between them at Magroli in Kailasahar of Unakoti district.
