A Indian surveillance drone operated by Border Security Force (BSF) has been recovered inside in Bangladesh territory near the Burimari zero line border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat.
The drone was retrieved on Tuesday noon and is currently in the custody of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
According to border sources and BGB officials, the incident occurred near sub-pillar 8 of main pillar 841 along the border. On the Indian side lies the Basakpara area of Changrabandha under Mekhliganj police station in Cooch Behar district, West Bengal, while the opposite side falls under the Muglibari border area of Burimari union in Patgram.
At around 1230pm, BSF personnel from the 98 Battalion's Himalaya camp launched the drone and were conducting video surveillance along the zero line. The drone suddenly malfunctioned, made a loud noise, and crashed into a nearby maize field about 10 yards inside Bangladesh territory.
Following the crash, additional BSF members gathered near the farm, causing panic among local farmers working there. Locals immediately informed the Burimari BGB Company Headquarters, after which BGB personnel arrived at the scene and, with the assistance of villagers, recovered the drone and took it to their camp.
A BGB official at the Burimari Company Headquarters, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the recovery. "A drone flown by the BSF has been recovered with the help of local residents and is now in our custody. The matter has been reported to higher authorities, and further steps will be taken as per their instructions," he said.
Patgram Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazmul Haque said he had heard about the incident informally.
However, Lt Col Syed Fazle Munim, commanding officer of BGB Rangpur 61 Battalion (Teesta-2), said that the commandant of the BSF Himalaya Company has contacted the BGB Burimari Company commander regarding the drone. "They have been informed that the drone is currently under BGB control. Necessary action will be taken based on instructions from higher authorities," he added.
