Kolkata, 7 February (H.S.): In a major crackdown on cross-border infiltration, the 146th Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) South Bengal Frontier successfully apprehended seven Bangladeshi intruders and three Indian traffickers along the India-Bangladesh international border in West Bengal’s Nadia and Murshidabad districts.

The operation was initiated on February 6 at the Jalangi border outpost based on intelligence inputs. Around 5 AM, BSF personnel spotted suspicious movements and immediately took action, apprehending two Bangladeshi intruders. During interrogation, it was revealed that five more infiltrators had managed to escape under the cover of darkness, aided by an Indian trafficker.

Acting on clues retrieved from the detainees' mobile phones, BSF devised a strategy to lure the trafficker into a trap. The suspect was called to the Jalangi Customs Office, where he was swiftly apprehended. Upon questioning, he disclosed that the remaining five Bangladeshi infiltrators were hiding in a banana plantation near Gopalpur Ghat. Around 9 AM, BSF personnel, disguised as civilians, reached the location and successfully detained the fugitives.

Further investigation led to the identification of two more Indian traffickers linked to the illegal network. Using a similar strategy, BSF instructed the captured trafficker to contact them and arrange a meeting at Chichinia Mor. By noon, when the traffickers arrived at the spot, BSF officers, disguised as Bangladeshi infiltrators, swiftly detained them. One of the traffickers attempted to attack the officers with a sharp weapon but was overpowered.

During the operation, BSF seized 16 mobile phones, a motorcycle, Indian currency, Bangladeshi Taka, and foreign currencies from Kenya and Indonesia. The BSF has termed this operation a significant blow to illegal infiltration networks and human trafficking along the border. Further investigations are underway.

Hindusthan Samachar / S P Singh