Explosives, electric detonators recovered in Sylhet border area

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have recovered explosives and electric detonators during a joint operation in Dharmapur, around 7.5 kilometres inside Bangladesh from the Suraighat border in Kanaighat, Sylhet.

The recovery was made around 11:45 pm on Sunday near border pillar 1314/MP, according to BGB.

During the operation, the joint team recovered 14 pieces of explosive power gel and 14 electric detonators wrapped in polythene and concealed under tree branches.

BGB said the recovered detonators could be used to make high-powered improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The border force suspects the explosives were smuggled into Bangladesh with the intention of carrying out sabotage and destabilising the country's existing stable situation.

BGB said it had previously recovered similar explosives and electric detonators in several operations conducted jointly with RAB.

Lieutenant Colonel Md Zubayer Anwar, commanding officer of Zakiganj Battalion-19 BGB, said intelligence activities, operational efforts and heightened vigilance had helped prevent the smuggling of such explosive materials.

He said BGB would continue its efforts to ensure border security and prevent the infiltration of drugs, weapons and other contraband.

sks