BSF Commandant critical after being attacked by cattle smugglers in Tripura; evacuated to Kolkata

Miscreants on Saturday attacked Commandant Deepak Mondal of BSF's 145 battalion in Tripura. He is in critical stage and being evacuated to Kolkata by air for treatments.

During his routine visit to border area of PS Sonamura, BSF Commandant Deepak Mondal encountered cattle smugglers. Mondal challenged cattle smugglers who in return attacked him with bricks and lathis.

"BSF Commandant Deepak Mondal was on routine visit to border area of PS Sonamura (Tripura) when he saw brazen act of cattle smuggling. BSF Commandant Deepak Mondal challenged smugglers, equipped with bricks and lathis, Smugglers attacked him; Mondal suffered severe injuries," said BSF in a statement.

The second-in-command rank officer, Deepak K Mondal, commanding the 145^th 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 Belardeppa border post in the Sipahijala district of the state when the officer was allegedly hit by a four-wheeler being used by the smugglers.

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

With PTI inputs