Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Saturday thwarted an attempt by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to push 20 people, including women and children, into Bangladesh through Chouka border in Shibganj upazila of Chpainawabganj district.
The incident took place around 6am in 177/2-S border pillar area under Binodpur Union, officials said.
The group is currently stranded at the zero line inside Indian territory.
According to local sources, BSF personnel from the Sabdullapur camp attempted to push the group into Bangladesh.
However, members of the Chouka Border Outpost (BOP) under BGB quickly reached the spot and blocked their entry.
The group consists of five men, 11 women and four children.
Local residents said the group had been gathered near the Shukdevpur border area for the past six to seven days, during which several women and children fell ill. They alleged that the individuals were later brought toward the border and pushed toward Bangladesh in the early hours.
Following strong resistance from BGB personnel and local villagers, the group was taken about 60 yards inside Indian territory. The situation briefly escalated, creating tension along the border as both sides exchanged arguments, witnesses said.
Chouka BOP Havildar Ashraf Ali said BGB personnel acted swiftly after receiving information and successfully prevented the entry.
Tension briefly escalated around 9am when 20 to 25 BSF personnel again attempted to push the same group into Bangladesh, creating a tense situation along the border.
Locals also protested the move, after which BSF personnel withdrew, witnesses said.
The standoff continued until around 12:15pm, when the BSF eventually withdrew the group back inside India following pressure from BGB.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, commanding officer of the 59th Battalion (Mahananda region) of BGB, said a flag meeting was held between company commanders of both sides to defuse the situation.
He said, “Following the meeting and mutual understanding, the attempted push-in was fully prevented, and the individuals were taken back inside Indian territory through the Shukdevpur area near pillar 178/3-S.”
He added that BGB remains on high alert along the border and warned that any violation of international border laws through illegal push-ins would not be tolerated.
