Bangladesh deploys 60,000 troops to thwart border push-in attempts ahead of BGB-BSF talks
Photo Collected
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has deployed 60,000 personnel across 26 districts to fortify the country’s 4,487-kilometer border with India. This unprecedented security mobilization, which includes around-the-clock surveillance in four-hour shifts and the assistance of local communities, follows a surge in attempts by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) to push individuals across the border into Bangladeshi territory.
Over a four-day period concluding Saturday, the BGB successfully thwarted 21 “push-in” attempts, preventing more than 200 people—including women and children—from being forced into the country. Border officials report that these incidents occurred across various points in districts including Meherpur, Thakurgaon, and Dinajpur. Despite the BSF’s efforts to congregate groups near the frontier, BGB personnel and local residents have maintained a rigid stance, refusing entry to those being pushed back.
বিজ্ঞাপন
These border tensions serve as a critical backdrop for the 57th Director General-level conference between the BGB and BSF, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from June 8 to June 11. BGB officials have stated that the agenda will prioritize the cessation of illegal push-ins, the ongoing issue of border killings, and the overall management of the frontier.
The increased activity at the border coincides with political shifts in India, particularly in West Bengal, which shares 2,216 kilometers of the border with Bangladesh. Local reports suggest that the push-in operations intensified following recent political discourse regarding the removal of suspected illegal migrants.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Shariful Islam, a spokesperson for the BGB headquarters, reaffirmed that any attempt to push individuals across the border violates international law and bilateral agreements between the two nations. He emphasized that Bangladesh remains committed to protecting its sovereignty and will not permit illegal entry. According to BGB data, while 2,479 individuals were pushed into Bangladesh between May 2025 and January 2026, the force has successfully prevented further incursions since early June.
Beyond the issue of forced migration, the upcoming New Delhi summit is expected to address the persistent problem of border violence. According to data from the human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 34 Bangladeshi citizens were killed by BSF personnel in 2025, following 30 deaths in 2024 and 31 in 2023.
Colonel Abul Hasnat Mahmud Azam, Deputy Director General (Media) of the BGB, stated that the delegation will demand effective measures to halt the killing and torture of unarmed civilians. The conference will also cover topics such as the prevention of drug and weapons smuggling, human trafficking, and the unauthorized construction of infrastructure within 150 yards of the international border. Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that the government remains firmly opposed to any form of illegal push-ins and has ordered the BGB to maintain a heightened state of alert to ensure national security.
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