A 12-year-old Bangladeshi boy was admitted to the sub-divisional hospital in Dinhata, Cooch Behar, on Tuesday night after he sustained injuries when BSF personnel on the international border tossed a stun grenade to deter him and some others from illegally entering their homeland.

Ramzan Ali, the injured boy, hails from a village under Khulna district of Bangladesh.

Police sources said that on Tuesday night, there was a sudden storm, coupled with downpour. At that time, around 10 to 15 Bangladeshis, including the boy and his mother, tried to cross the border through Dinhata-II block of Cooch Behar district.

“The BSF team spotted the group. They asked the group to stop but as the Bangladeshis kept on moving towards their homeland, the BSF tossed a stun grenade. This injured the boy. Leaving him behind, the group fled to Bangladesh,” said a police source.

A stun grenade, sources said, is a non-lethal explosive device that explodes with a blinding flash of light and loud sound and temporarily disorients people.

BSF personnel found Ramzan on the ground. They took him to a block primary health centre in Bamanhat and later shifted to the sub-divisional hospital in Dinhata. The police of Sahebganj police station were also informed.

“He has sustained injuries on his ribs and abdomen and is under observation,” a police officer said.

Ramzan told the police he that had been staying in Bangalore with his parents for the past few years. Police officers said they were waiting for Ramzan’s complete recovery. “We will then initiate appropriate legal process so that he can be sent back home,” said an officer.