BGB foils BSF's wire fence construction along Joypurhat border

Border Guard Bangladesh on Tuesday foiled an attempt made by Indian Border Security Force's (BSF) to construct a barbed wire fence along Joypurhat's Panchbibi border.

According to reports, the incident occurred early in the morning near Uchon Ghona Para along the Indian border. BSF personnel began constructing the fence just 10 yards inside Indian territory near border pillar no. 281 and sub-pillars no. 33, 34, and 35. By the time local residents alerted the BGB's Hatkhola Border Outpost (BOP), BSF had already erected approximately 20 yards of fencing. 

Being informed, BGB members reached the site at 9:30 AM and demanded a halt to the construction, prompting BSF to suspend their activities and retreat.

Later that afternoon, a flag meeting was convened at sub-pillar no. 35 of main pillar no. 281. The BGB delegation was led by Subedar Shahjahan Ali from Hatkhola BOP while the BSF delegation was headed by Camp Commander Jitendra Kumar from Chakgopal Camp.

Commanding officer of 20th BGB Joypurhat Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Nahid Nawaz confirmed the incident. "BSF admitted their mistake and assured us that it would not happen again. They had erected part of the fence and we requested its removal. BSF stated that the matter required approval from higher authorities. We have formally lodged a protest," he said.

As per international border laws, no barbed wire fencing is permitted within 150 yards of the border. Despite this, BSF has repeatedly violated these regulations by attempting to construct fences along the Panchbibi border. In September last year, BSF attempted similar activities at Uchon Ghona Para and Sonatala borders, which were thwarted by BGB intervention. After several months of relative calm, this latest attempt highlights ongoing tensions in the region.