BDR and police sources said the Indian border guards opened fire on the patrolling BDR personnel of Mirgarh outpost under 22 Rifle Battalion at about 12:30am without any provocation.

BDR men returned fire that led to a four-hour long gun battle between the border guards of the two neighbouring countries at intervals, the sources said.

Commander of Mirgarh Company headquarters of BDR lodged a strong protest with his BSF counterpart of Goalgoach Company yesterday morning and sought explanation of such provocative action of the BSF

While talking to the state-run news agency, senior BDR officials termed the BSF firing very 'unfortunate' and 'unacceptable.' "We have lodged strong protest with the BSF and asked them to stop such provocative action along the peaceful frontiers," they added.

Sources said BDR Sector Commander of Rangpur Colonel Lutfur Rahamn telephoned Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Kishanganj Sector of BSF Ravi Kumar Punoth and BSF Inspector General of North Bengal Frontier (NBF) SR Tewari, asking them to take necessary steps to maintain peace along the borders.

A sector commander level flag meeting will be held at 4:30pm today.