Recently, tensions arose along the Bangladesh-India border over the construction of barbed-wire fencing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF). However, on January 14, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Home Affairs Adviser, stated that the border situation is currently calm and relatively normal. Against this backdrop, a photo card circulated on Facebook claiming, “Border Clash: 1 Bangladeshi Injured, 18 Indians Killed.” Some posts further claimed the 18 fatalities were BSF members.

Fact-check 

An investigation by the Rumor Scanner team found no evidence to support the claim that 18 BSF personnel were killed in a border clash. The claim appears to be baseless and lacks any credible verification. A closer examination of the circulated photo card revealed no media outlet logos or names, which would typically authenticate such claims. Posts in some comment sections referred to a report published on January 11 by an obscure website, Daily Nagar Barta. The report alleged that armed clashes between BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) resulted in one Bangladeshi being injured and 18 BSF members killed. The article stated, without credible sources, that BSF personnel had crossed into Bangladeshi territory, leading to a confrontation and gunfire. It quoted unnamed BGB representatives claiming that BSF fired first and suffered significant losses in return fire.
However, keyword searches and further scrutiny revealed no credible media coverage or evidence supporting these claims. Recent tensions in regions such as Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, and Lalmonirhat revolved around BSF’s barbed-wire fencing. Notably, there have been isolated incidents of BSF firing, leading to injuries among Bangladeshi nationals. For instance: On January 10, Shahidul Islam (22) from Chapainawabganj was critically injured by BSF gunfire while allegedly smuggling contraband across the border. After that on January 11, Shahidul Islam (42) was injured in Lalmonirhat’s Patgram area after BSF fired on a group reportedly engaged in cattle smuggling.
Both incidents, confirmed by local sources and mainstream outlets like Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, involved individual shootings but no border clashes or fatalities among BSF personnel. 
The claim that 18 BSF members were killed in a border clash is false and unfounded. Verified reports indicate no significant incidents resembling the circulated claims. While tensions have occasionally flared along the border, authorities confirm that the situation remains stable. Social media users are urged to verify such claims from credible sources before sharing.

Original News Link: https://rumorscanner.com/fact-check/false-claim-that-18-bsf-died-in-bangladesh-india-broder-clash/135009