On Wednesday, the Border Security Force (BSF) announced that it stopped a "significant" infiltration attempt by a large group of Bangladeshis along the International Border (IB) in West Bengal. This comes amid a "high alert" due to unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Officials said BSF personnel prevented about 120-140 Bangladeshi citizens from crossing into India at multiple locations in the eastern state. The force has been on "high alert" since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Dhaka earlier this week.

The North Bengal Frontier of the BSF issued a statement to dispel "rumours" and clarify that there was "no widespread movement of the minority population from Bangladesh towards the Indian border." The statement noted, "The individuals gathered were primarily motivated by fears of local unrest. The BSF, in coordination with the BGB, and Bangladeshi civil authorities, has reassured these individuals of their safety and encouraged them to return to their homes."

According to the statement, BSF personnel showed "exceptional vigilance" and took proactive measures, quickly responding to the situation and ensuring the border security and the safety of the Bangladeshi nationals. In one sector, the BSF, along with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local civil authorities, sent back 35 Bangladeshi civilians to their homes. "BSF has deployed additional forces to manage the situation effectively," the statement said.

In another sector, a group of Bangladeshi villagers approached the IB, causing a brief commotion. BSF personnel "promptly engaged" with the group, and the situation was peacefully resolved without any "adverse" incidents. The villagers returned to their homes, and the BSF remains on high alert.

In another incident, the North Bengal Frontier reported a "significant infiltration attempt was thwarted when a large Bangladeshi crowd was observed near the border." The statement added, "BSF personnel quickly mobilised and, with the cooperation of BGB, dispersed the crowd, preventing any violation of the International border."

The North Bengal Frontier of the BSF guards a 932.39 km section of the total 4,096-km-long India-Bangladesh international border, covering the districts of Uttar Dinajpur, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar in West Bengal.

Image source: PTI