BGB and local villagers thwart attempted push-in at Chapainawabganj border
Tensions flared along the Chakpara border in the Shibganj sub-district of Chapainawabganj on Friday night as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local residents successfully thwarted an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push a group of individuals into Bangladesh.
The incident began around 9:45 p.m. when BSF personnel stationed at the Mallik Sultanpur camp, under the 119th battalion, abruptly extinguished security lights along the border near pillar 183/3-S. Suspicious of the blackout, local villagers alerted one another via public address systems. Within minutes, more than 500 residents gathered at the perimeter, armed with sticks, while BGB patrol teams moved quickly to secure the area.
According to local accounts, including statements from former Shahbazpur Union chairman Md. Mozammel Haque, the BSF’s movements were obscured by the darkness, though four vehicles and several individuals in plainclothes were spotted near the Indian side of the border. Approximately 12 people were observed gathering roughly 600 yards inside Indian territory at a location known as "Muslim Para."
Faced with a heavy security presence and the vocal opposition of the gathered villagers, the BSF eventually restored the border lighting. BGB troops and local residents maintained a vigilant watch throughout the night to prevent any unauthorized crossings. By 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, BGB intelligence reported that the BSF had loaded the individuals onto vehicles and transported them to the Malda Holder Center.
In a formal press release issued Saturday morning, the 59th BGB battalion confirmed the successful repulsion of the illegal entry attempt. Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury praised the collaborative effort between his troops and the local population, noting that the BGB remains committed to preventing all forms of illegal infiltration. He emphasized that the partnership between border guards and local residents will continue to be a vital component of regional security operations.
