The bodies of two Bangladeshi men were recovered from the Padma River near the Masudpur border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj on Saturday afternoon.
Locals alleged that the two men were tortured and killed by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), though the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has not confirmed the cause of death.
The deceased were identified as Shafiqul Islam, 45, son of Sirajul Islam, and Selim, 35, son of the late Mortuza, both residents of Tarapur village in Manaksha Union under Shibganj upazila.
According to locals, the bodies were spotted floating in the Padma River near Batasi More around 2:30pm. Upon being informed, members of the Masudpur BGB camp recovered the bodies.
Samir Uddin, member of ward no 8 of Manaksha Union Parishad, said that the two men had crossed into India last Thursday to bring back cattle and had been missing since then. On Saturday, locals identified their bodies when they surfaced in the river.
He alleged that the bodies bore signs of brutal torture, including acid burns and deep cuts from sharp weapons.
Locals claimed that Indian BSF personnel were responsible, accusing them of changing their methods to disguise the killings and dumping the bodies into the river after confirming death.
Lieutenant Colonel Fahad Mahmud Rinku, commander of the BGB's 53rd Battalion, confirmed that the bodies were found approximately 2.5 km inside Bangladesh territory from border pillar 4/2-S at around 3pm.
"The bodies were recovered and their identities confirmed. Police have been informed to take further action. The cause of death is still unknown. We have informed the BSF, who responded that they have no knowledge of the incident," said the BGB official.
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