Border Security Force (BSF) personnel thwarted two attempts by Bangladeshis to smuggle cattle across the international border in West Bengal, resulting in firing and a protest lodged with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB). The incidents highlight the ongoing issue of cattle smuggling between the two nations and the escalating tensions between the BSF and Bangladeshi smugglers.
The BSF’s 146th battalion at the Madhubana border outpost in Berhampore sector noticed suspicious movement of around 5-6 persons and two bovine animals early on Sunday, attempting to cross the unfenced stretch of the international border into India. Upon being challenged, the individuals threatened the jawans by brandishing sharp weapons, prompting one of the jawans to fire a stun grenade at them. The miscreants surrounded the jawan and attacked him with sharp weapons, forcing him to fire two rounds in self-defence.
The smugglers then fled towards Bangladesh, taking advantage of the dark and tall crops in the fields. The BSF seized two medium-sized bulls and two sharp weapons from the spot, but the possibility of any of the miscreants getting injured in the firing cannot be ruled out.
BSF Thwarts Cattle Smuggling
A similar incident occurred the previous day at the 70th battalion’s Lodhia border outpost in Malda, where jawans spotted the movement of around 14-15 Bangladeshis carrying spears and swords attempting to cross the border. The smugglers entered India, but the BSF personnel fired a stun grenade to disperse them. The intruders then attacked the jawans with sharp weapons, prompting the BSF to fire two rounds in self-defence.
The smugglers retreated to the Bangladesh side under the cover of darkness. Following the incidents, the BSF held a meeting with the BGB and lodged a protest against the unprovoked attacks by Bangladeshi smugglers.
The BSF spokesperson stated that the issue has been flagged with the BGB. The recent attacks at Madhubana are part of a recurring problem, with the BSF struggling to prevent cattle smuggling and the escalating tensions between the two nations’ border forces. The situation highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between the BSF and the BGB to prevent such incidents and ensure the security of the international border.
