BSF pushes another 16, including 2 children, into Bangladesh thru Sylhet border

Amid ongoing tensions along the Bangladesh-India border, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has pushed another 16 individuals into Bangladesh through the Aatgram border area in Sylhet's Kanaighat.

The incident occurred this morning (14 May) when a patrol team of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained the group around 8:00am.

According to BGB officials, the group includes eight men, six women, and two children. They claim to be Bangladeshi citizens who had been living illegally in India for an extended period.

Confirming the matter, Lieutenant Colonel Md Jubayer Anwar, commanding officer of the 19 BGB Battalion in Zakiganj, told The Business Standard, "Preliminary interrogation is underway to determine how the individuals entered India and the nature of their stay there.

New tensions at the border: What India’s push-ins mean and why Bangladesh must act now

"We are currently verifying their identities and the routes they used," he added.

The officer further said discussions with BSF regarding the push-in are ongoing. "Legal actions will be taken after confirming the identities of those detained."

Since 6 May, some 280 individuals have been 'pushed into' Bangladesh, an act seen as a violation of international law and bilateral agreements, sparking concerns in Dhaka.

These push-ins are reportedly taking place in remote and uninhabited areas along the borders of Kurigram, Khagrachari, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Chuadanga.