Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), with the assistance of local residents, foiled an alleged attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push three people into Bangladesh through the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat early Saturday.
According to BGB, the incident occurred in the Modirbari area of Burimari Union under Patgram upazila, near Sub-Pillar 9-S between Main Border Pillar 833, within the jurisdiction of the Dhabalsuti Border Outpost (BOP).
BGB and local sources said members of the BSF’s 98 Battalion from the Kharkharia camp allegedly attempted to force the three people across the border taking advantage of the pre-dawn darkness.
BGB personnel, after detecting the move, rushed to the spot.
Local residents also gathered at the border and protested the alleged push-in attempt, prompting the BSF personnel to retreat, the sources said.
The three individuals are currently staying on the Indian side of the border, around 150 yards from the zero line, according to BGB.
In a press release, the Teesta Battalion (61 BGB) said it has reinforced border patrols and stepped up surveillance in the area following the incident to prevent any further attempts.
Lieutenant Colonel Syed Fazle Munim, commanding officer of the Teesta Battalion, said the alleged push-in attempt was thwarted immediately following resistance from BGB personnel and local residents.
He said BGB has already contacted the commander of the concerned BSF battalion and urged the Indian authorities to take back the three individuals and prevent any similar incidents in the future.
