Tension had been prevailing for several days over the construction of barbed wire fencing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Sukhdebpur border, across the Chowka border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj. On January 18, an incident occurred when Indian nationals entered the area between the Chowka and Kiraniganj borders to harvest wheat and cut branches from several Bangladeshi mango trees. This led to a chase and counter-chase between the citizens of both countries. In this context, claims circulated on social media stating that 94 Indian soldiers were injured and hospitalized following an attack by Bangladeshi forces.

Fact-Check

An investigation conducted by the Rumor Scanner Team revealed that the claim of 94 Indian soldiers being injured in the Chowka and Kiraniganj border incident is inaccurate. While reports confirm injuries to Bangladeshi citizens, there is no verified information indicating any injuries among Indian personnel.

Inquiries into the claim across major Bangladeshi and Indian mainstream media sources found no evidence to support the allegation of 94 injured Indian soldiers.

However, an article published on January 19 by Indian media outlet The Economic Times, titled "Crop wars at border: Indian, Bangladeshi farmers clash over mango trees and more," reported on the incident. According to the report, a clash erupted on the Sukhdebpur border in India's Malda district over the harvesting of crops and cutting of mango trees. BSF Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Singh stated that no casualties occurred on either side. Nevertheless, the report cited Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo, which reported that three Bangladeshi nationals were injured in the clash.

A similar account of the incident was found in another report published by The Times of India, further corroborating the absence of injuries among Indian personnel.

Additionally, a report published on January 18 by the Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo stated that the conflict ensued when Indian nationals entered the Bangladeshi territory, leading to a chase from both sides. The report detailed that three Bangladeshi citizens were injured in the incident. Among them, a youth named Mesbahul Haque from Kaliganj Namotola area of Binodpur Union sustained injuries from an attack with a sickle by Indian nationals. The other two injured individuals, Md. Roni from Bishwanathpur village, was struck by stones thrown by Indians, while Md. Faruk sustained injuries from a sickle attack.

Therefore, while reports confirm the injury of several Bangladeshi nationals in the Chowka and Kiraniganj border clash, there is no evidence supporting the claim that 94 Indian soldiers were injured.

In conclusion, the information being circulated regarding the alleged injury of 94 Indian soldiers in the border clash between Indian and Bangladeshi nationals is entirely false.

Original News Source: https://rumorscanner.com/fact-check/review-94-indian-soldiers-hospitalized-after-today-border-clash-with-bangladeshi-forces/135938