India summons Bangladesh envoy over border firing

The Indian foreign ministry "summoned the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to ... express India's concern at the unprovoked firing by the BDR (Bangladesh Rifles)" in the northeastern state of Assam, foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters.

The firing on August 9-10 was a continuing attempt at "infiltration and encroachment by Bangladesh," Sarna said in New Delhi.

While stretches of India's borders with Bangladesh are still to be demarcated, Sarna said there was no ambiguity about the area at which the firing was directed.

Despite this, Bangladeshi border guards fired mortars and shells which "resulted in the death of two Indian women ... and critically injured a child," Sarna said.

"In response, the high commissioner of Bangladesh assured that ... he would convey to his government India's concerns," Sarna said.

Soldiers from the two countries often exchange gunfire along their 4,000-kilometre border. Both sides accuse each other of provoking the clashes.