Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along with locals foiled an alleged nightlong attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 12 people into Bangladesh through the Chawkpara bordering area in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj, officials said on Saturday.
The incident took place around 11:00pm Friday opposite to Chawkpara Border Outpost (BOP), near Musalmanpara on the Indian side of the border.
Local residents said that BSF attempted to force 12 men and women across the border into Bangladesh. On information, BGB personnel rushed to the spot while hundreds of villagers gathered along the border in support of the border guards.
Facing resistance, BSF reportedly abandoned the attempt and took the group back into Indian territory.
BGB said BSF had switched off border security lights before attempting the push-in. Acting on intelligence, a BGB patrol team immediately took up defensive positions along the border. At the time, the group remained about 600 yards inside Indian territory.
Following the incident, BGB, in coordination with local residents, strengthened surveillance along the border to prevent further attempts.
At around 4:30am on Saturday, BSF transported the 12 individuals by vehicle to a holding centre in Malda district of India.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, commanding officer of Mahananda Battalion (59th BGB), confirmed the incident.
HIS/IF
