Shillong, 14 August (HS): The Border Security Force (BSF) has sealed the India–Bangladesh border in Meghalaya and intensified surveillance to capture armed Bangladeshi infiltrators involved in a violent attack earlier this month.

According to South West Khasi Hills SP Banrapalang Jirwa, all escape routes along the border have been blocked following the intrusion of an armed group of eight to nine individuals into Rangdangai village on the midnight of August 7. The infiltrators attacked a local shopkeeper, Balsarang A Marak, looting cash and valuables, stabbing him and attempting to abduct him. Six suspects have been arrested, while three to four others remain at large.

A joint police–BSF search operation, supported by a K-9 squad, is underway in the Majersors–Hathinala forest area. BSF Meghalaya Frontier IG OP Upadhyay said that during an operation on August 12, a homemade explosive was recovered along with a Bangladeshi police ID, wireless handsets, cash in both currencies and other items.

Earlier, on August 7, a clash in the Khanjoy–Gilgora area between the infiltrators and security forces led to the arrest of four Bangladeshis, including the gang leader — a Bangladeshi police constable — who was injured and is now under treatment in guarded custody.

On August 11, another Bangladeshi attacker, identified as Akram from Sherpur district, was beaten to death by villagers in Kaithakona.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash