BGB blocks BSF push-in bids along C'nawabganj, Lalmonirhat borders
BGB said surveillance and patrols along the border have been strengthened and the situation is being closely monitored.
Twenty-eight people have remained stranded near the zero line at the Bangabari border in Gomostapur Upazila of Chapainawabganj after a push-in attempt by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was foiled by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), while the paramilitary force simultaneously blocked separate attempts to push 33 individuals through three border points in Lalmonirhat.
Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commanding officer of Naogaon 16 BGB Battalion, said BSF members from Ashrafpur camp under Battalion 12 attempted to push the 28 individuals into Bangladesh through border pillar 203/6-S at around 3am yesterday (4 June).
The group consists of 12 men, 10 women and six children, he said.
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BGB patrol teams from Bangabari Border Outpost (BOP) resisted the attempt, after which the individuals remained stranded along the zero line.
Sources said a flag meeting was held yesterday afternoon at the company commander level, followed by a battalion commander-level meeting between BGB and BSF.
Initially, BSF denied the push-in attempt during the meeting. However, it later acknowledged the incident at the battalion commander-level discussion.
This morning, Masum said BSF had informed the meeting that the matter would be reported to its higher authorities, and a decision would be conveyed to BGB following instructions.
However, no further communication had been received from the BSF as of this morning (5 June).
The BGB official added that the stranded individuals are currently staying around 50 yards inside Indian territory near the zero line.
The force said the situation is being closely monitored, and additional patrols and surveillance have been strengthened along the border to prevent any further push-ins.
33 near Lalmonirhat
Meanwhile, the Border Guard Bangladesh also foiled attempts by the Indian BSF to push 33 people into Bangladesh through three separate border points in Lalmonirhat early this morning.
The incidents occurred in the border areas under Hatibandha, Patgram and Aditmari upazilas of the district.
According to BGB and local sources, BSF attempted to push in 11 people through the Barakhata BOP area in Hatibandha, 10 more through the Paishattabari BOP area in Patgram, and 12 other people through the Durgapur Dighaltari border area in Aditmari.
On information, BGB personnel rushed to the spots and took preventive measures along the border.
With the support of local residents, the paramilitary force successfully blocked the attempted push-ins.
The individuals involved were unable to enter Bangladesh and were staying in the no-man's land or zero-line area, sources said.
BGB said surveillance and patrols along the border have been strengthened and the situation is being closely monitored as well.
In a statement, the media cell of the Lalmonirhat BGB Battalion-15 said the force remains on high alert to prevent any infiltration or push-in attempts.
The statement reads, "All necessary steps have been taken to safeguard the country's border and sovereignty."
