Two Bangladeshi border guards detained after entering Indian territory, handed over after flag meeting

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Two members of Bangladesh’s border force were detained after allegedly crossing into Indian territory near the Rahimpur-Ashabari border area in Sepahijala district of Tripura on Thursday night and were handed over to Bangladeshi authorities following a flag meeting between the border forces on Friday, local sources said. 

The BGB personnel were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Imran Hossain and constable Rohit Dewan. They were initially detained by local villagers after being spotted on the Indian side of the international border. Troopers of the Border Security Force (BSF) 49th Battalion subsequently took them into custody.

According to local sources, the incident occurred at around 10.30 pm on Thursday near border pillars 2059 and gates 167 and 168 in the Ashabari-Rahimpur sector. The two Bangladeshi personnel, who were allegedly on night patrol, reportedly entered Indian territory and attempted to detain a local businessman near the zero line.

Villagers intervened after noticing their presence and foiled the attempt. The situation subsequently became tense, with allegations that the both the BGB personnel were assaulted by locals before BSF personnel reached the spot and took them into custody.

Both of them were taken to the BSF’s Ashabari border outpost, where they reportedly underwent medical examinations during the night. They remained in BSF custody until arrangements were made for their repatriation.

A flag meeting was held at around 1 pm on Friday near gate number 163 and border pillar 2057 in the Rahimpur sector. The meeting was conducted by the 49th Battalion BSF at the zero line in the presence of representatives of the border forces from both the countries and officials from the police and intelligence departments. 

The Indian delegation consisted of the BSF battalion's second-in-command, a deputy commandant and Inspector Arun Kumar. Following discussions, the two Bangladeshi personnel were handed over to senior officials of the Bangladesh border force.

Local villagers alleged that the two personnel had crossed into Indian territory on previous occasions and attempted to detain people in the border area. They further alleged that the personnel demanded between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 5 lakh from bordering villagers and threatened them of implicating in cases related to contraband smuggling.

Separate claims also surfaced that the two persons were carrying yaba tablets and had crossed the border for an illicit purpose. However, these allegations could not be independently verified, and no official confirmation was available.

There was no immediate official response from the BSF or Bangladeshi authorities on the allegations or the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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