A postcard is being circulated claiming that India is targeting innocent Bangladeshi citizens at the border, alleging that 25 Bangladeshi individuals were recently killed. However, this claim is misleading. The incident referenced actually occurred in 2020 and involved illegal infiltrators and smugglers, not innocent civilians.
Sharing the postcard on X (Formerly Twitter) Bangladesh-based anti-India propaganda account @LaraLotus_ wrote, “When will this stop? INDIA VIOLATES BORDERS”.
When will this stop?
— 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐚 🇧🇩 (@LaraLotus_) January 11, 2025
INDIA VIOLATES BORDERS pic.twitter.com/SIUvZqtFHP
Another Bangladeshi account @grou11639 also shared the postcard and wrote, “We Bangladeshi demand justice for border killing or if its ok to kill in border India should agree to Bangladesh .We will do exacly what india is doing..just 2024 they killed 24 ,actually this number is more than that.Young boy and girl less than 10 years also killed by BSF.”
We Bangladeshi demand justice for border killing or if its ok to kill in border India should agree to Bangladesh .We will do exacly what india is doing..just 2024 they killed 24 ,actually this number is more than that.Young boy and girl less than 10 years also killed by BSF. pic.twitter.com/QfxtR2lCfg
— Mahedi Hasan (@grou11639) January 12, 2025
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also shared the postcard and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @faruq_m40875, @Ratul___Islam
The truth behind the claims about the killings, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the postcard and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the claims. We found that the news report was old and involved smugglers and infiltrators.
To verify the claims made by propagandists. We performed relevant keyword searches and found the report on Al Jazeera’s website published in July 2020. The incident referenced actually occurred in 2020 and involved illegal infiltrators and smugglers, not innocent civilians. During the incident, some of these individuals attacked BSF personnel while attempting to cross the border.
At the time the BSF clarified that the fatalities were limited to those involved in criminal activities or assaults on their personnel. In 2020, at least nine BSF personnel were injured by such illegal infiltrators. Similarly, in 2019, the BSF lost three members and had 45 others injured in related incidents. The actions taken by the BSF were in self-defence, and aimed at preventing illegal infiltration, smuggling, and cross-border crimes, including drug trafficking.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the postcard was not related and unrelated to the killing of innocent individuals.
2844
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 14, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A postcard is being circulated claiming that India is targeting innocent Bangladeshi citizens at the border, alleging that 25 Bangladeshi individuals were recently killed. However, this claim is misleading. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/Jg2MT1az84
Intent
Propagandists are circulating old reports with misleading claims to defend illegal activities across the international border.
Conclusion
Claim– India’s BSF killed several Bangladeshi citizens across the border.
Fact– The news report is from 2020 and is related to the killing of smugglers and infiltrators.
Related Article: Fact Check: Bangladeshi Hindu man Mukund Mritunjay Das Bramhachari shot dead by the BSF attempting to enter India? – D-Intent Data
