Kolkata, 3 December (H.S.):
In a major crackdown on cross-border smuggling, troops of the BSF South Bengal Frontier foiled an attempt to smuggle gold into India through the Nadia district along the India–Bangladesh border. Acting on specific intelligence, personnel of the 32nd Battalion posted at the Tungi border outpost arrested a Bangladeshi smuggler who was trying to bring gold into India under the cover of water hyacinth.
According to the BSF, a total of 20 gold biscuits, weighing 2354.73 grams, were seized during the operation. The estimated market value of the seized gold is Rs 3,05,99,716.
The incident took place on the afternoon of December 02, when the Tungi post received information that Bangladeshi smugglers were planning to send gold into India via the water route. Based on the alert, BSF troops were placed on high vigilance and strategic ambushes were set up in the border area.
Around 5 pm, two suspicious men were spotted advancing toward the Indian side using dense water hyacinth growth as cover. When the BSF personnel attempted to intercept them, one smuggler was caught at the spot, while the other managed to flee taking advantage of the darkness.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of several packets hidden among the water hyacinth, which were found to contain the gold biscuits. The arrested individual confessed that he was a resident of Bangladesh and had been involved in smuggling activities along the border for a long time. He also admitted that the gold was intended to be handed over to a contact inside India in exchange for payment.
The BSF has handed over the arrested smuggler and the seized gold to the concerned agencies for further investigation.
DIG Neelotpal Pandey, Public Relations Officer of the BSF South Bengal Frontier, applauded the alertness of the troops. He said BSF personnel remain fully capable of preventing illegal activities along the border and continue to demonstrate their commitment through consistent action.
He also urged residents of border villages to share any information related to gold smuggling with the BSF via the Seema Saathi helpline 14419 or WhatsApp number 9903472227, assuring that reliable informants would be rewarded and their identities kept completely confidential.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
