India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly attempted to push 750 people into Bangladesh in the dead of night through the border in Brahmanbaria`s Bijoynagar Upazila. The attempt was thwarted following strong resistance from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local residents.
The incident occurred around 2am on Friday in Bijoynagar`s Singerbil Union border area, reports bdnews24.com.
Although tensions ran high throughout the night, no further issues arose as the BSF eventually withdrew, according to Lt Col Jabbar Ahmed, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-25.
“We received intel about a planned push-in. BGB personnel were on alert, and locals also mobilised along the border,” he said.
Forhad Ali, a member of Bishnupur Union Parishad from Kalachhara Ward 9, said: “At 2am, BGB members informed us that BSF was planning to push in 750 people. I asked locals to head to the border and announcements were made through mosque loudspeakers.”
Hundreds of people from Singerbil, Bishnupur, Nolghoria, Merasani, and Noabadi gathered at the border carrying traditional weapons, he said.
“Some people even went live on Facebook, urging others to join. When the crowd gathered, the BSF pulled back.”
Mamun Chowdhury, another Union Parishad member, said: “When we heard of the push-in attempt, we made public announcements. With BGB’s support, people gathered at the border and forced the BSF to retreat. We can’t confirm exactly how many people had been brought to the border.”
Sharif Mahbub, subedar of the Bishnupur BGB camp, said: “Based on intel, we learnt that BSF was planning to push in 750 people. We alerted the community and used loudspeakers to mobilise locals. The situation is now under control.”
Shahidul Islam, chief of Bijoynagar Police Station, said law enforcers visited the scene after being alerted to the issue.
“The situation is calm now. Locals stood with BGB to resist the push-in.”
Lt Col Jabbar said, “Neither illegal push-ins nor drug smuggling will be tolerated. BGB remains vigilant at all times.”
However, he added that he could not independently verify the reported number of people involved in the push-in attempt.
