Two villagers on the Indian side were killed and two others injured when Border Security Force and Bangladesh Rifles engaged in heavy exchange of fire from around 10.30 pm on Wednesday till early Thursday, across the Cachar sector of the international border in South Assam.

A source in the BSF stated that BDR personnel posted at Borathakuria and Kazipara villages in Sylhet sector on the other side of the border started 'unprovoked' firing with small arms targeting Harinagar, Kinnarkhal and Tokargram border outposts of the BSF located along the 32 kilometers of the international border in Cachar sector.

In response to prompt retaliation by the BSF, the Bangladesh Rifles started heavy firing, using mortar shells and machine guns. The BSF, too, started heavy retaliation and firing continued till daybreak.

Two women, identified as Sabita Dey and Santa Dey, were killed when their bamboo hut at Kinnokhal was hit by mortar shells fired by the BDR. Two others, a woman and a boy, were injured. Many others started fleeing in panic.

The BSF also declared a high alert to prevent any possible attempt by the Bangladeshis to encroach upon well-demarcated Indian land across the Surma River that separates both the countries.

Unconfirmed reports from other side of the border said that a large number of civilians on Bangladesh side were either killed or injured due to exchange of fire.

Tension has been running high in this sector of the international border since last June, after BSF prevented Bangladeshi farmers from any cultivation in 220 acres of Indian land.

This June, BSF again chased away Bangladeshi farmers from that stretch of Indian land.

A war-like situation is prevailing in the area due to increased deployment of forces on either sides of the border.