A Pakistani drone with a suspected contraband item was recovered in a joint operation by the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police in Punjab's Tarn Taran district on Tuesday, said officials. The BSF said that on Tuesday around 11:28 am it intercepted the movement of a suspected drone near Village Wan in the district of Tarn Taran. "As per the laid down drill, BSF troops immediately reacted to intercept the drone," said a statement issued by the BSF. "Further, a joint search operation with Punjab Police was carried out. During the search at about 12:15 pm, a drone in broken condition along with one packet of suspected contraband items (Gross weight - 420 gm) wrapped with yellow adhesive tape, attached with a ring for hanging it with the drone and one battery (5000 mAH) of the drone was recovered from the farming field adjacent to Village - Wan, District - Tarn Taran," the statement added. The BSF officials said that the recovered drone is a Quadcopter of model DJI Mavic 3 Classic. There have been many Pakistani drones that crossed the border and entered India's Punjab and have been recovered by BSF. Last Sunday, The BSF and Punjab Police in a joint operation recovered a Pakistani drone in broken condition from Punjab's Ferozepur.

A Pakistani drone with a suspected contraband item was recovered in a joint operation by the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police in Punjab's Tarn Taran district on Tuesday, said officials. The BSF said that on Tuesday around 11:28 am it intercepted the movement of a suspected drone near Village Wan in the district of Tarn Taran. "As per the laid down drill, BSF troops immediately reacted to intercept the drone," said a statement issued by the BSF. "Further, a joint search operation with Punjab Police was carried out. During the search at about 12:15 pm, a drone in broken condition along with one packet of suspected contraband items (Gross weight - 420 gm) wrapped with yellow adhesive tape, attached with a ring for hanging it with the drone and one battery (5000 mAH) of the drone was recovered from the farming field adjacent to Village - Wan, District - Tarn Taran," the statement added. The BSF officials said that the recovered drone is a Quadcopter of model DJI Mavic 3 Classic. There have been many Pakistani drones that crossed the border and entered India's Punjab and have been recovered by BSF. Last Sunday, The BSF and Punjab Police in a joint operation recovered a Pakistani drone in broken condition from Punjab's Ferozepur.

Soldiers of the Border Security Forces (BSF) carried out area domination patrolling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. In a recent video shared by the BSF on their official Twitter handle on Friday, the soldiers are seen patrolling the snow-clad mountains with heavy winds, bad weather and rugged terrain. In the tweet, BSF wrote that the tough terrain, bad weather, high wind speeds, extreme cold of minus 20 degree celsius and deep snow conditions serve no problem to the patrolling soldiers. "Nothing deters the Sentinels of the Borders," read the tweet. Meanwhile, Border Security Force (BSF) troops, deployed at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab's Amritsar, are also missing no chance to dominate the area by standing tall and patrolling despite a dense fog, zero visibility, and cold winter days. As visibility dropped below 10 meters, due to fog, the alertness of troops increased at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab's Amritsar, ANI learned. BSF troops were seen wading through a thick blanket of fog and patrolling the India-Pakistan border. However, the spirit inside the soldiers did not seem to subside with the increasing fog. According to Nitika, Sub-Inspector, BSF, they are always alert in challenging conditions so that millions of Indians can sleep peacefully. 

Troops of Battalions under North Bengal Frontier BSF deployed on Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal under the dynamic leadership of Shri Ajai Singh, Inspector General of North Bengal Frontier BSF are maintaining alertness on the border in order to thwart any attempt of anti national elements to execute their nefarious design of smuggling and infiltrations. On 16 Jan 2022, troops of BOP Hili-I, 61 Bn BSF deployed on Indo-Bangladesh border in Dakshin Dinajpur District of West Bengal apprehended two Bangladeshi nationals namely Md Rifat Hassan (13 Yrs) S/O Md Arman and Md Ruhal Amin (14 Yrs) S/O Anwar Hussain, both of them R/O Vill-Aliahat, PS-Hakimpur, Distt-Dinajpur, Bangladesh. During questioning it was learnt that they inadvertently crossed the International Border. Later, Border Security Force contacted Border Guard Bangladesh and handed over apprehended Bangladeshi Nationals to them in a Flag Meeting as a goodwill gesture.   Troops of Battalions under North Bengal Frontier BSF deployed on Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal are not only maintaining alertness of highest order along the international border & thwarting every possible attempt of Anti national elements to execute their nefarious design of smuggling and infiltrations but also making efforts to maintain good relations with the neighboring country. During the past one year, a total of 29 Bangladeshi nationals inadvertently crossed the International border from different bordering areas of North Bengal Frontier and all of them were handed over to Border Guard Bangladesh as a goodwill gesture. Source: Press release.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has reiterated its policy of using non-lethal weapons on the Bangladesh-India border. The BSF made the assurance in response to the concerns expressed by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on border deaths. The BSF assured that all unarmed and innocent trespassers and victims of human trafficking will be handed over to BGB personnel.  The BSF suggestion to launch joint operations against trans cross-border smugglers upon receipt of specific intelligence on their criminal activities was welcomed by BGB. This was discussed at the Director General Level Talks of BGB and BSF held on September 16-19, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.  The 13-member Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) delegation, led by its Director General Md. Shafeenul Islam, participated in the talks.   A six-member Border Security Force (BSF) delegation, headed by its Director General Rakesh Asthana, visited Dhaka from 16-19 September 2020 to discuss various issues related to Bangladesh-India border management and security in the DGLT. During the discussions, both the border forces, BSF and BGB,  made several proposals to reduce the cross-border crimes and strengthen their security cooperation.  Proposals  BSF has launched a systematic campaign against the smuggling of codein based cough syrup in the bordering districts of India and will redouble efforts to reduce the cross-border drugs and narcotics smuggling.  The BGB appreciated the ongoing concerted efforts of BSF in substantially reducing the smuggling of narcotics. Both the border forces recognized the increasingly violent attacks on them by cross-border cattle smuggling gangs and agreed to exchange intelligence on smuggling syndicates and list of smugglers to make efforts to significantly reduce the smuggling in order to ensure the India-Bangladesh border remain peaceful and secure. Both the forces agreed that sharing of real-time intelligence is the key to reduce the cross-border crimes. BSF has proposed nominating officials in both the border forces as the nodal officials for exchanging such real time intelligence. The Director General, BSF has proposed initiating joint patrols in cattle smuggling /smuggling prone  areas to reduce the menace of all kinds of smuggling.  The BGB has welcomed the initiative and both the forces agreed that identification of vulnerable areas   needs to be in responsive to the new methods being adopted by the trans-border smuggling syndicates. Recognizing the difficulties in identifying the nationality of mentally challenged persons, BSF has proposed creating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address such incidents on the border. BGB has suggested issuing daily passes for the people residing in the bordering villages so that they can visit their relatives on the Indian side.  BSF has welcomed the suggestion and both the forces agreed to work out a mechanism in consultation with agencies/Ministries concerned to facilitate such social visits. Reiterating the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, BGB has requested specific intelligence and proposed conducting joint operations against insurgent groups, if any. The onset of COVID pandemic has forced both the forces to stop coordinated patrols on the border.  Both the Director Generals agreed to resume these patrols on the border to build mutual confidence in both the forces and also to reduce the cross-border crimes. Both the border forces decided to continue their confidence-building measures and training programs  after the ongoing pandemic subsides. Responding to the request of BGB, BSF assured its cooperation in completing all riverbank protection works in the bordering areas of Bangladesh as per approval of Joint River Commission. Source: UNB AH

A Bangladeshi youth was shot dead by members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Badaghata border in Tahirpur upazila in Sunamganj on Saturday.   The deceased was identified as Jewel Mia, 29, son of Afaz Uddin of Badaghat union in the upazila. Lt Col Md Maksudul Alam, commander, Border Guard Bangladesh-28, said Jewel was shot and wounded on Saturday afternoon when he entered 100-150 yards inside India by a boat. Jewel was taken to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital where he died at around 10pm, he said. Lt Col Maksudul said that Jewel was collecting floating wood from Jadukata River coming from the Indian side with upstream water. Source: UNB AH

Four Bangladeshis have been killed reportedly by members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in Naogaon and Jashore districts. In Naogaon, three Bangladeshis were shot dead reportedly by BSF along Nitapur border in Porsha upazila early Thursday. The victims were identified as cattle traders Sandwip Kumar, 28, Kamal Hossain, 32, and Mufizuddin, 38. Nayebsuvedar Mukhlesur Rahman, camp commander of BGB-16 Hapania camp, said a group of cattle traders, numbering 14-15, entered India to bring cattle on Wednesday night. BSF members from Kyadaripara camp opened fire on them around 6am while they were returning with cattle, leaving the trio dead on the spot. The body of Mufizuddin was seen lying at the zero point of Bangladesh-India border while that of the rest two bodies inside Indian border, said the BGB official. Major Ahsan Habib, deputy-commanding officer of BGB-16, said BGB strongly protested the incident and sent a letter calling for a flag meeting. In Jashore, Hanef Ali Khoka, son of Shahjahan Ali and also a shepherd, was tortured to death reportedly by BSF on Agrabhulat border in Sharsha upazila on Wednesday. Victim’s uncle Shahidul Islam said Hanef was detained by BSF members of Bonyabaria camp when he went to Indian border to bring cattle. Later, BSF members tortured him to death. Though the incident took place on Wednesday noon, his family came to know about the incident around 12pm on Thursday, he said. Nayeb Suvedar Mozammel Hossain, camp in-charge of BGB Agrabhulat camp, said victim’s father Shahjahan Ali came to the camp. Then he sent a letter to BSF seeking a flag meeting. Earlier on Wednesday, two Bangladeshis were shot dead by members of BSF along Amjhol border in Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat district. Source: UNB AH

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday termed the recent exchange of fire between the border forces of Bangladesh and India an “accidental incident” saying the members of the Border Security Force (BSF) demonstrated their “hegemony” intruding into Bangladesh’s territory. “This is one incident. This is an accidental incident and due to a misunderstanding,” he said adding that the members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) fired as the last resort amid BSF’s demonstration of “hegemony”. In an interview with DW Bengali Department in Berlin, Dr Momen also brushed aside the reports of a section of Indian media based on “inaccurate” information. “The information that Indian media carried was not correct.” The Foreign Minister described the current Bangladesh-India relations as very friendly and said the key purpose of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to India was to further develop the “warm relationship.”  On Thursday, BGB said its members were forced to fire back in self-defence after being attacked by BSF along the Rajshahi border that led to the death of a BSF man. The BGB said the BSF members intruded into Bangladesh territory and tried to snatch an Indian fisherman detained while illegally fishing in the Padma River. The incident took place 650 yards inside Bangladesh territory in Shahariaghat Balughat of the river under Charghat upazila in Rajshahi district. Responding to a question on water-sharing issues, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh is giving only 1.82 cusecs of water of 126 cusecs from the Feni River for a town having only 6,000 people in Tripura. Through this mechanism, there will be monitoring so that they cannot take much water ignoring the agreed principles. Asked about the perception that only India wins in negotiations between the two countries, the Foreign Minister said this is a blatant lie. He said both sides win, and both Bangladesh and India got back stability due to the current friendly relations. “We don’t have the relations of quarreling.”     Source: UNB AH

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, BGB and BSF chief level discussion is going on to solve the problem centering the incident of killing one BSF member by BGB firing. He said this to the newsmen after attending a program at the National Press Club on Friday. The Home Minister said, you certainly know that there is a very good relation between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF). We all are extremely saddened following the sudden accident. To solve the problem discussion at the chief level of two forces is going on. Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, there is a ban on hilsa fishing in our rivers. Movement of the fishermen is under control at the moment. Suddenly BGB saw that some fishermen were fishing in the river. When they were challenged it was known that they were Indian nationals. They intruded 5 to 6 hundred yards into Bangladesh border. There were some BSF members. At that time BGB said, as you have entered into Bangladesh so we will handover you after holding flag meeting. In this situation they tried to escape hurriedly on a speed boat. At that time BSF opened fire and then BGB retaliated and thus the incident occurred. AH    

Indian officials claimed that members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have killed one Border Security Force (BSF) member in an incident of firing. The incident of firing took place at the estuary of Padma river near Balu Ghat border area under Charghat upazila in Rajshahi on Thursday. BSF claimed that one member of their border force was killed and another was injured in the firing. But no formal speech was delivered on behalf of BGB about the claim of BSF. Rajshahi district BGB Commanding Officer Lt. Colonel Ferdous Mahmud told BBC Bangla that BGB found no evidence of killing a BSF member. According to the local sources, three Indian fishermen were fishing hilsa using current net in the Padma after crossing the border. At that time BGB members detained one of them and the rest two fled. Later, when BSF members came and tried to snatch away the fisherman, the incident of exchange of fire occurred. Indian news media Zee News said, name of the killed BSF jawan is Bijay Vanu Singh. He was the inhabitant of Chamaroli village under Firozabad district in Uttar Pradesh. Name of the injured jawan is Rajbeer Singh. He is undergoing treatment at Murshidabad Medical College Hospital. AH