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Bangladesh alleges air space violation

Bangladesh Friday alleged Indian Air Force jets violated its air space on Thursday.

Foreign Secretary Syed Moazzem Ali told reporters that Dhaka had lodged a protest with New Delhi over the "air space violation".

On Friday, Bangladesh praised India for showing restraint in the wake of border skirmishes and denied its army was involved in the clashes.

Ali commended the withdrawal of forces by India from Bangladesh territory and hoped the border tension would not affect cordial relations between the two countries.

"Diplomatic efforts succeeded in restoring peace despite high casualties. This indicates the mutual trust between the two countries," he said.

"We hope the incident will not affect cordial ties between the two countries," Ali said.

Asked if BDR had obtained government permission before going into action at the borders, the foreign secretary said it acted to carry out their "chartered duty".

"If any attack comes to our border at any time, it is the chartered duty of the BDR to repulse it. They have to take instant decision," he said.

Ali dismissed reports in Indian newspapers that the Bangladesh Army was involved in border skirmishes. "In no way we used our army in the skirmishes. They remained in the barracks."

Asked about high Indian casualties, he said it was usual "that invading forces suffer higher casualties as they come out of cover".

He said two injured BSF personnel were flown to Dhaka for treatment and would be handed over to India once the treatement was over. The handing over is likely to take place on Saturday, Indian High Commission sources said.

In Assam, BSF Director General Gurbachan Jagat regretted the recent border attacks by the Bangladesh Rifles.

It was a matter of great regret that a friendly country like Bangladesh indulged in such attacks with India, Jagat told newsmen after a visit to the Indo-Bangladesh border along Mankachar.

The BSF director general held meetings on the firing incident and current situation with his officers posted in the area.

A flag meeting was held in Mankachar between the two border forces in the evening for restoring peace in the area.

The Complete Coverage: The Bangladeshi Intrusion

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