Bangladeshi cattle trader found dead near India border

A Bangladeshi cattle trader, who had been missing for nearly a week, was found dead in the Padma River near the India border in Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj Upazila on Saturday night, prompting allegations from locals that he may have been killed while returning from across the border.

The deceased was identified as Shawkat Ali, 35, son of late Mizanur Rahman of Tarapur Thuthapara Village under Monakasha Union.

According to the deceased’s family members, Shawkat left home on 9 May with several others to bring cattle from the border area. While the others eventually returned home, Shawkat remained missing, causing growing concern among relatives.

Late Saturday night, family members reportedly noticed a body floating in the Padma River and identified it as Shawkat. They initially attempted to bury the body quietly, but police later recovered it after receiving information about the incident.

The body was then sent to Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Local residents alleged that members of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) may have killed Shawkat and dumped his body into the river while he was returning with cattle from the border area. However, authorities said the exact circumstances surrounding the death remain unclear.

Officer-in-Charge of Shibganj Police Station Matiur Rahman said the body had partially decomposed, making it difficult to immediately determine the cause of death.

Meanwhile, Godagari River Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jibon Roy said several injury marks were visible on the body, particularly on the hands, legs and chest.

“It appears he may have been attacked with sharp weapons before the body was thrown into the river,” the river police official said, adding that further details would depend on the autopsy findings.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mostafizur Rahman, commanding officer of BGB-53 Battalion, said no conclusion could be drawn before receiving the post-mortem report.

The incident has heightened concern among residents in the border region, where deaths and clashes related to cattle smuggling and cross-border movement have occurred repeatedly over the years.