BSF Stops Over 1,000 Bangladeshi Intruders at West Bengal-Bangladesh Border Amid Political Turmoil

Kishanganj, 8th August 2024: On Thursday, the Border Security Force (BSF) successfully thwarted an attempted infiltration by over 1,000 Bangladeshi nationals near the West Bengal-Bangladesh border, adjacent to Bihar. The incident took place approximately 15 kilometers from Kishanganj, in the Islampur region of West Bengal. The BSF personnel promptly turned back the intruders, preventing them from crossing into Indian territory.

The attempted infiltration follows significant unrest in Bangladesh, where violent protests against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina erupted on August 5, leading to the deaths of over 100 people. The situation forced Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country. The political instability in Bangladesh has deteriorated, with reports of targeted attacks on Hindu families and temples, prompting many to seek refuge across the border in India.

Upon receiving intelligence about the infiltration, BSF Commandant Ajay Shukla, along with Islampur SP Joby Thomas and other police officers, rushed to the border with their teams. They instructed the group of intruders to return to Bangladesh, and an alert was subsequently issued along the India-Bangladesh border near Kishanganj. A significant number of BSF personnel have been deployed to maintain heightened security and monitor the situation closely.

BSF officials reported that the Bangladeshi villagers had gathered near the border, creating a brief commotion. However, the BSF jawans swiftly intervened and ordered the group to retreat, which they did without further incident. The BSF remains on high alert, ready to respond to any further developments.

In a related incident on Wednesday, BSF jawans stopped approximately 500 Bangladeshi nationals attempting to cross the border near Jalpaiguri. The North Bengal Frontier reported that these individuals had gathered in Bangladesh out of fear of attacks by protesters. Following discussions between BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials, the group was persuaded to return to their homes.