The incident occurred in Firshi Kalaibari, 50 km from Malda, in the wee hours. Sources said around 50-60 of them were trying to smuggle cattle into Bangladesh through the border area when they were caught by the BSF. That particular area in the border has no fencing.

After the BSF team challenged the group, they allegedly opened fire after which the jawans retaliated. The injured has been admitted to the Malda District Hospital.

Sources said by the time the BSF caught up with the group, nearly 90 per cent of them had already crossed over to the other side. Around 44 rounds of shots were fired. Sandip Rawat, Commander 183 Battalion, said the body of the deceased, who has been identified as a Bangladeshi national, would be handed over to the Bangladeshi Rifles on Tuesday.

Malda SP S Bandopadhyay said the incident occurred at around 3 am. He said an inquiry has already been launched into the incident.