A Bangladeshi cattle trader was found dead in a river along the border with India in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj on Saturday night, a week after he had gone missing.

The deceased was identified as Shawkat Ali, 35, son of late Mizan of village Tarapur Thuthapara under Monakasha union in the upazila.

According to the victim’s family, Shawkat went towards the Indian border with several others on May 9 to bring cattle. While his companions later returned, Shawkat remained missing.

Family members spotted the body floating in the River Padma on late Saturday night and initially attempted to bury it quietly before police, acting on information, recovered the body and sent it to Chapainawabganj District Hospital morgue for post-mortem examinations.

Local people alleged that members of India’s Border Security Force killed Shawkat and dumped his body in the river while he was returning with cattle.

Officer-in-charge of Shibganj Police Station Matiur Rahman said that the body was partially decomposed, making it difficult to determine the exact cause of death immediately.

Godagari River Police Station OC Jibon Roy said multiple injury marks caused by sharp weapons were found in the body, particularly in the legs, hands and chest.

‘It appears he was hacked to death in a planned way before the body was dumped in the river,’ he said.

Commanding officer of Border Guard Bangladesh 53 Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mostafizur Rahman said that the exact cause of death could not be confirmed before the post-mortem reports.

‘The border force is also investigating the incident,’ he said.