Kolkata:

The West Bengal cabinet on Monday approved the allocation of around 0.9 acres of land in Nadia district’s Karimpur to the Border Security Force (BSF), potentially for setting up outposts and installing wired fences, a senior official said.

The paramilitary force had informed the state government about their land requirement, and the matter was discussed during the cabinet meeting held at the state secretariat.

“The matter was discussed and approval for 0.9 acres of land at Karimpur was given to the BSF,” the official said.

This decision comes amidst recent tensions, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging earlier this month that the BSF was allowing infiltration from Bangladesh.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had strongly criticised Banerjee’s remarks, calling them “an insult to the 75,000 personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and 33,000 BSF personnel in Bengal.” Adhikari also claimed that the state’s lack of support was hindering the construction of fencing to prevent infiltration along the India-Bangladesh border.

The BJP leader alleged that land acquisition for the 284 km long fence was “pending” at the state level.

Additionally, the cabinet approved the assembly’s budget session from February 10 with the budget scheduled to be presented on February 12.

The cabinet also approved the filling of 60 vacancies across various departments.

In a move to recognise the achievements of the Bengal Santosh Trophy -winning football team, the state cabinet decided to offer jobs in the state police to players facing recruitment challenges due to specific physical shortcomings.

The cabinet also gave its approval to set up two police stations, especially for the Special Task Force (STF), he said, adding that the two stations would be set up in New Town and another Siliguri.

“However, no separate appointments will be made for these two police stations at the moment,” he said.

The state cabinet decided to appoint 881 contractual bus drivers and conductors in the transport department, the official added.

CM Banerjee instructed all state departments to coordinate with each other to successfully organise the 8th edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit, scheduled for February 5-6, sources said.

Additionally, the CM also directed her cabinet colleagues to remain vigilant during Saraswati Puja celebrations on February 3, emphasising the importance of maintaining law and order to prevent any disruptions or threats to the state’s security.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

BSF jawans were attacked by Bangladeshi cattle smugglers on the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Thursday night, a statement from the paramilitary force said.

In a retaliatory action carried out in self-defence, the jawans successfully foiled the smuggling attempt and recovered 10 bulls, it added.

The incident took place at Khutadah border outpost (BOP), where BSF personnel saw smugglers approaching the border fence from the Indian side with cattle. Simultaneously, smugglers from the Bangladesh side crossed the international border into India.

When the BSF jawans challenged them to stop, the smugglers ignored the warning and advanced aggressively, wielding sharp-edged spears while attempting to cut the border fence. In response to the threat, a BSF jawan fired a blank round as a warning.

“Taking advantage of the darkness and uneven terrain, the smugglers fled back to Bangladesh. A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of 8 bulls of Haryana origin and three sharp-edged spears left behind by the attackers,” the statement by BSF South Bengal Frontier said.

Previous incidents of similar smuggling attempts and assaults have been reported at Pipli BOP (Kolkata sector) and BOPs HC Pur and Nawada (Malda sector), where BSF jawans were forced to defend themselves using stun grenades and other weapons, the statement added.

A BSF spokesperson said despite frequent flag meetings with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to raise concerns about these attacks, no concrete action has been taken by Bangladeshi authorities.

“Despite these challenges, our jawans continue to perform their duties with unwavering courage and vigilance,” the spokesperson said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is facing criticism from Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Suvendu Adhikari for shifting the blame to the Border Security Force (BSF) regarding infiltration in the state.

Mr Adhikari accused Ms Banerjee of indulging in “low-level politics” by blaming the BSF for infiltration, stating that the security forces serve the nation, not the government.

“The security forces serve the nation and not the government. They are the protectors of the nation. The way you have blamed our soldiers for the infiltration happening in West Bengal in the last few days displays the lowest level of your politics,” Mr Adhikari wrote in the letter.

On Thursday, Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Border Security Force (BSF) was facilitating militants and infiltrators from Bangladesh to enter the state and further stated that because of this there were disruptions in the region.

In his letter, Mr Adhikari termed the Chief Minister’s comment an insult to security forces.

“Allegations and counter-allegations indeed occur in politics. But dragging security forces into it, insulting them and passing the buck for your failures to them is nothing but substandard politics. This is an insult to the 75,000 personnel of the CAPFS, 33,000 BSF personnel in Bengal and all the soldiers of the nation,” he said.

Open Letter to the Chief Minister of West Bengal; Smt. Mamata Banerjee, regarding the irresponsible and derogatory remarks made by her on the role of the @BSF_India concerning infiltration at the India Bangladesh Border:- pic.twitter.com/KMrZrNmNAW

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) January 4, 2025

“It is deeply painful to see our valiant soldiers being insulted. Our security forces risk their lives to protect the borders of our nation and the citizens regardless of whether it is shivering cold, searing heat, tempestuous rain or a disaster. The nation will never forget your insulting words about our soldiers,” he added.

He pointed out that a major stretch of the country’s border is open, due to adverse geographical conditions. In some places there are inaccessible forests; in others, there are swollen rivers and snow-covered mountains.

“Infiltrators use these adversities to their advantage, entering our territory and starting to live in the villages,” he said.

Mr Adhikari also pointed out that the state government’s lack of cooperation with the BSF on border-related subjects is a significant issue. He questioned how infiltrators are able to obtain identity cards, ration cards, and other documents, suggesting that the state government’s officials are not doing their job properly.

“When these infiltrators come to a village, then why do the patwaris make their identity cards? How do they get their ration cards made? How do the police and other officials verify them as Bona fide citizens and issue their identity cards?” he asked the Chief Minister.

He also accused the West Bengal government of not cooperating with the BSF on border-related subjects.

Earlier, Ms Banerjee had remarked that the BSF, which is responsible for guarding the borders, was allowing individuals to cross into India from regions such as Islampur, Sitai, and Chopra and questioned the motives behind this and attributed it to a “blueprint” from the central government. She had said that the situation would not have been possible without the central government’s involvement.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

With the help of Dronaam, India’s indigenous counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS), the Border Security Force (BSF) has been able to neutralise 55 percent of drones along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, said Home Minister Amit Shah.

“I sleep fearlessly at night as I know you people are guarding borders. The new system installed is a great success,” the Home Minister underscored while addressing the 60th raising day of the Border Security Force.

The initial results of a “laser equipped anti-drone gun-mounted” mechanism, said Mr Shah, have been encouraging.
    
“This has led to an increase in drone neutralisation and detection cases, up from 3 per cent to 55 per cent, along the India-Pakistan specially along borders in Punjab,” Amit shah said.

India is working, said Mr Shah, to create a comprehensive anti-drone system to create a comprehensive anti-drone unit to secure its borders as the “menace” of unmanned aerial vehicles is going to get serious in the coming days.

“The drone menace is going to get more serious in the coming days… We are tackling this issue with a “whole of government” approach with the defence and research organisations and the DRDO teaming up,” said the Minister. 

आज जोधपुर, राजस्थान में सीमा सुरक्षा बल के 60वें स्थापना दिवस परेड समारोह में वीर जवानों से संवाद किया।

देश की सीमाओं की सुरक्षा और अंतरराष्ट्रीय अपराधों को रोकने के लिए कटिबद्ध सीमा सुरक्षा बल के जवान रेगिस्तानों से लेकर दुर्गम जंगलों और बर्फीले पहाड़ों पर भी राष्ट्ररक्षा के… pic.twitter.com/ykwH0FJTRp

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 8, 2024

Dronaam, developed by Gurutvaa Systems, is a cutting-edge modular C-UAS designed to offer foolproof protection against illegal unmanned aerial systems (UAS). It is a versatile system that can provide directional or omni-directional coverage, making it suitable for various security scenarios.

The system can be configured as a fully integrated rifle-style device or a portable countermeasure in a backpack configuration. It is equally effective in fixed installations, where it can be mounted on moving or stationary platforms, offering the option of directional or omni-directional coverage.

“With the help of laser rays we can neutralise the drone,” Inspector Pawan Kumar who operates Dronaam told NDTV, adding that the hardware of the drone is jammed with this technology.

More than 260 drones have been downed or recovered from India’s border with Pakistan this year as compared to about 110 in 2023, per government data.
       
The maximum number of such interdictions of drones carrying arms and drugs have taken place in Punjab and very few in Rajasthan and Jammu.
       
Amit Shah reviewed the ceremonial parade, took salute and awarded medals to gallantry award winners.
       
The BSF, which has a strength of about 2.65 lakh personnel, was raised on December 1, 1965. It is primarily tasked with guarding more than 6,300 km of Indian fronts with Pakistan and Bangladesh apart from rendering a variety of duties in the internal security domain of the country.
       
Mr Shah said the ongoing Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) for securing India’s borders with Pakistan (2,289 km) and Bangladesh (4,096 km) is a work in progress.
       
“We have had an encouraging response from the CIBMS deployed along the riverine border in Assam’s Dhubri (India-Bangladesh international border) but some improvements are required,” he said.
       
The Minister said the Union government has sanctioned a “big” budget for strengthening India’s borders — fencing, frontier infrastructure, roads and other logistics.
       
“Securing global recognition and the number one place for India by 2047 is not possible without our security personnel… the jawans who guard our borders with dedication,” he said.
       
About 573 new border posts, said Mr Shah, have been created by the Modi government apart from 1,812 km of roads.
       
BSF Director General (DG) Daljit Singh Chawdhary said as many as 190 drone devices were seized and mapped. “Their data was shared with sister agencies for further probe,” he informed.
 

Kolkata:

Border Security Force (BSF) claimed on Sunday that a notorious cross-border narcotics smuggler, out on bail, died after spending nearly five hours in the cold waters of the Ichhamati River along the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB).

N K Pandey, DIG and spokesperson, South Bengal Frontier, BSF identified the accused as Babai Barai.

He added that Babai Barai, along with an accomplice, was fished out from beneath a bed of water hyacinths in the river around 4 am and taken to the Angrail Border Outpost in West Bengal’s North 24-Parganas district.

“At the BOP, they were provided with blankets and served hot tea. A fire was also lit, so they may warm themselves. After a while, Barai started feeling uncomfortable and was rushed to the nearest hospital where treatment began. However, he died during the process. The exact cause of death will only be known from the autopsy report,” said DIG Pandey.

DIG Pandey added troops of the 5th Battalion, BSF, spotted four persons attempting to cross the IBB with some packages and sharp-edged weapons around 11 pm on Saturday.

“As the BSF jawans approached, the four attacked them. In an act of self-defence, a BSF personnel fired a shot in the air. On hearing the noise, two of the miscreants fled back towards India. The remaining two jumped into the river,” he said.

The DIG said a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the BSF secured the area immediately and searched both banks of the river.

“Two packages were recovered with 500 bottles of cough syrup that is classified as a banned substance under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act,” he said.

He added that the search continued and around 4 am, Barai and his accomplice were found under the water hyacinth.

“They scuffled with our jawans which led to minor injuries to the BSF personnel. The two were finally overpowered and taken to the Angrail BOP. We have come to know that Barai served a two-year sentence under the NDPS Act and was released in 2021. He was arrested again by the BSF on May 25 this year and was out on bail. He continued to smuggle narcotics and gold across the IBB, even after that,” Pandey said.

The officer claimed that despite being attacked and having information about Barai’s criminal past, the BSF personnel provided all assistance and also rushed him to the hospital.

“The fact that his associate is in good health establishes the fact that all necessary provisions were made to keep the two warm and as comfortable as possible,” Pandey said.

He added that Barai’s associate has been handed over to the local police station along with the contraband. A case has also been registered accordingly.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Guwahati:

In a significant development, seven Bangladeshi nationals who illegally entered Indian territory were apprehended by vigilant residents of Boldamgre village of South West Garo Hills in Meghalaya on Monday.

These individuals were handed over to the  police, and a range of items, including a Bangladeshi passport, Bangladeshi currency notes, mobile phones, and Bangladeshi SIM cards, were recovered from their possession.

This action was part of the ongoing joint operations between the district police of South West Garo Hills and the Border Security Force (BSF) along the India-Bangladesh international Border. During these operations, villagers are routinely alerted and encouraged to report any suspicious activity, thereby strengthening border security.

A case has been filed at Mahendraganj police station in South West Garo Hills district regarding the apprehension of the seven Bangladeshi nationals.

In a separate incident on September 27, 2024, based on intelligence reports, 10 Bangladeshi nationals travelling towards Zikzak in an autorickshaw were apprehended at Boirakupi, Zikzak. A case was registered and is under investigation.

Another incident occurred on October 8 when a Bangladeshi national was apprehended in Bakdagre police station in Mahendraganj. Based on reliable information, the district police conducted an operation at 9:30 pm and apprehended the suspect.

Another individual managed to escape, using darkness to evade capture. In this case, both the Bangladeshi nationals and the local resident who provided temporary shelter were arrested, with investigations ongoing.

Srinagar:

Three Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers were killed and six were injured when the bus in which they were travelling fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district, the police said.

The six injured soldiers are critical, the police said.

The 52-seater vehicle was part of a seven-bus convoy going for the BSF’s induction for deployment for the next phase of the assembly election, the police said, adding 35 BSF soldiers were travelling in it.

The bus went off the hilly road and fell 40-feet on its side, the police said. All the injured BSF personnel are being treated in a hospital.

Jaipur:

A 20-year-old Pakistani national who crossed the border and was caught by the BSF in Rajasthan’s Barmer has told police that he had crossed the border to evade the family members of his girlfriend.

The man, who identified himself as Jagsi Koli, was caught by the BSF on August 25 in Barmer and was handed over to the local police for interrogation on Monday.

SP Barmer Narendra Singh Meena said that during preliminary interrogation, the Pakistani national claimed that he was trying to escape the family members of his girlfriend and crossed the border.

“The man said that he had gone to meet his girlfriend in the Tharparkar district of Pakistan but her family members spotted him so he escaped from there with a scarf of the girl. He said that he also attempted to die by suicide but could not succeed and crossed the border,” the SP said.

He said the accused was being interrogated, adding that a joint interrogation by intelligence agencies will continue.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Nadia:

An all-women unit of the Border Security Force (BSF) made a maiden gesture and handed over sweets and exchanged greetings with lady BGB personnel of Bangladesh at the front in West Bengal as part of the traditional Independence Day celebrations held along the international border.

The first-ever women border guards exchange took place near the Gede border post of the BSF in the said district even as a “high alert” continues all along this over 4,000 km front following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government less than a week back.

The six-member BSF team, dressed in ceremonial regalia, belonged to the 32nd battalion of the force deployed in the area to guard the international boundary in Nadia district. The personnel are of the constable rank, officials told PTI.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) women’s team that participated in the traditional ceremonial event held in the morning is affiliated to the 6th battalion of the Bangladeshi force deployed under the Darshana border post of the neighbouring country.

“The exchange of greetings and sharing of sweets symbolises mutual respect and camaraderie between the two border forces. It is a tradition which the women personnel have performed for the first time,” 32nd battalion BSF Commandant Sujeet Kumar said.

He said the two sides shook hands and wished for continued prosperity of their respective countries with a commitment to having strong bilateral ties between them.

A senior officer said the exchange of sweets and pleasantries between the two forces traditionally takes place during the national festivals of the two countries like Independence Day and Republic Day apart from big festivals like Deepawali and Eid.

This is, however, the first time an all-women team performed the gesture anywhere along this 4,096 km-long international boundary that runs across five states on India’s eastern flank including over 2,200 km in West Bengal.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary reviews tactical and operational preparedness during a visit to India-Bangladesh border, in North 24 Parganas district, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Amidst ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, trade between India and Bangladesh remained suspended and senior officials of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday (August6, 2024) reviewed operational preparedness along the border.

BSF Director General (DG) Daljit Singh Chaudhury and other commanders of the border guarding force visited the Integrated Check Point at Petrapole and the border outpost Ranaghat of the 68th Battalion deployed on the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

“The primary objective is to assess the tactical and operational preparedness and deployment strategies of BSF at these key locations in view of the recent developments in Bangladesh,” a press statement by the BSF said. The border guarding forces have announced a “high alert” along the India-Bangladesh border.

The BSF DG has been visiting bordering areas in West Bengal for the past two days after the situation in Bangladesh turned volatile forcing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and leave the country. During the day, BSF officials discussed operational strategies to deal with illegal infiltration and smuggling, and held coordination meetings with West Bengal government officials and the people of border villages.

Of India’s 4,096 km-long border with Bangladesh, 2,216 km lies along West Bengal, which is guarded by three frontiers of the BSF. Trade, not only at Petrapole but at land custom stations in Ghojadanga, Mahadipur, and Fulbari in West Bengal, has been affected because of the ongoing situation. There has been some passenger movement, particularly along the ICP, which includes both people returning to India and crossing over to Bangladesh.

Some of the passengers narrated their ordeal of how the situation had spiralled out of control in the past few days. Ujjal Saha, secretary of the West Bengal Exporters Coordination Committee, said trade through land ports in the State has been hit because of non-clearance of goods by Bangladesh customs, which has resulted in hundreds of trucks being lined up in parking lots.

Trade along these land ports has been irregular since the protests began in Bangladesh. The developments in the neighbouring country not only pose a security challenge but also a challenge for Indian exporters.

Arun Kumar Garodia, chairperson of the Engineering Export Promotion Council of India said that the political developments in Bangladesh were a significant concern for Indian engineering exporters.

“As one of the top destinations for Indian engineering products and our largest trading partner in South Asia, stability in Bangladesh is crucial for maintaining and expanding trade relations,” Mr. Garodia said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Monday (August 6, 2024) appealed to the people of the State to maintain peace and avoid provocation. She had urged leaders of political parties to refrain from posting messages that could incite communal passions on social media.