BSF foils infiltration attempt by over 100 Bangladeshis in Bengal

The Border Security Force on Wednesday said it thwarted a "significant" infiltration attempt by a large group of Bangladeshis along the International Border in West Bengal, amid an ongoing "high alert", announced due to a turmoil in the neighbouring country.

Officials said the personnel of the force stopped about 120-140 Bangladeshi citizens who were attempting to cross over to the Indian side from multiple locations in the eastern state.

The force has been on a "high alert" mode since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Dhaka earlier this week.

The North Bengal Frontier of the force issued a statement to quell "rumours" and clarify that there was "no widespread movement of the minority population from Bangladesh towards the Indian border."

"The individuals gathered were primarily motivated by fears of local unrest. The BSF, in coordination with the BGB, and Bangladeshi civil authorities has reassured these individuals of their safety and encouraged them to return to their homes," a spokesperson for the frontier headquartered in Kadamtala, Darjeeling, said.

The Bangladeshi nationals were observed gathering near the IB around noon in two sectors, the statement said.

These gatherings were prompted by fears of attacks by protestors in Bangladesh, it said.

According to the statement, BSF personnel demonstrated "exceptional vigilance" and proactive measures and swiftly responded to these situations," ensuring the security of the border and the safety of the gathered Bangladeshi nationals.

In one sector, it said, the BSF and the Border Guard Bangladesh, as well as local civil authorities, sent back 35 Bangladeshi civilians to their homes.

"BSF has deployed additional forces to manage the situation effectively," the statement said said.

In another sector, a group of Bangladeshi villagers approached the IB, causing a brief commotion, but the BSF personnel "promptly engaged" with the group, and the situation was peacefully resolved without any "adverse" incidents.

The villagers returned to their homes, and BSF remains on high alert, the spokesperson said.

In an another incident, the North Bengal Frontier said, a "significant infiltration attempt was thwarted when a large Bangladeshi crowd was observed near the border."

It added, "BSF personnel quickly mobilised and, with the cooperation of BGB, dispersed the crowd, preventing any violation of the International border."

The North Bengal frontier of the BSF guards 932.39 km section of the total 4,096-km-long India-Bangladesh international border covering the districts of Uttar Dinajpur, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar in West Bengal.