Coochbehar, Nov 12 (UNI) At least two suspected cattle smugglers were killed in the wee hours last night when the BSF jawans opened fire to thwart smuggling of livestock from Satbhandari border post in Coochbehar district.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla is expected to visit West Bengal on Friday to discuss issues pertaining to border infrastructure.

Senior police officers from Setai police station of Coochbehar district today said the BSF opened fire last night in which two Bangladeshi and one Indian smuggler were killed while smuggling cattle heads from across the borders at the said border post.

The incident happened when BSF asked the smugglers to stop but the latter didn't pay any heed. On the contrary, the smugglers started firing at the BSF forcing the latter to retaliate in which two smugglers, including an Indian, were killed.

One BSF jawan was also injured in the attack by the smugglers.

However, the unconfirmed sources said that the death toll stands at three.

The incident caused panic among the people while police were trying to identify the deceased.

The deceased Indian smuggler was identified as Prakash Burman, police informed.

The firing happened amid controversy between the State and the Union Government over the jurisdiction of the central paramilitary force inside the Indian territory.

The State Government opposed the Union Government decision to increase BSF jurisdiction to 50 km from 15 km.

Mr Bhalla will discuss with Chief Secretary H K Dwivedi, Home Secretary B P Gopalika and the State DGP.

Mr Bhalla will deliberate mainly on matters related to border infrastructure.

His visit assumed significance following the Centre's decision to extend the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) from 15 km to 50 km along the international border.

UNI PC SJC RN