Border Security Tightened Amid Push-In Attempts

Bangladesh has deployed 60,000 members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) across border areas in 26 districts to prevent alleged “push-in” attempts by India’s Border Security Force (BSF), according to senior BGB officials. The deployment marks a significant reinforcement of border security, with personnel operating in four shifts to maintain round-the-clock vigilance along the frontier. Local residents in several border communities are also assisting security personnel in monitoring activities along the border.

The heightened security measures come amid reports that BGB has prevented 21 alleged push-in attempts between Wednesday and Saturday. According to BGB, these incidents involved efforts to force more than 200 individuals, including women and children, into Bangladesh through various border points. The force stated that none of the attempts succeeded due to the presence of BGB personnel and cooperation from local communities.

The developments coincide with the 57th Director General-level conference between BGB and BSF, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from 8 to 11 June. BGB has indicated that issues including alleged illegal push-ins, killings of Bangladeshi nationals along the border, and broader border management concerns will feature prominently in the discussions.

Enhanced Surveillance Along 4,487 Kilometres

According to BGB headquarters, additional patrols and intelligence surveillance have been introduced across Bangladesh’s 4,487-kilometre border with India. The strengthened measures cover border points in 26 districts identified as potentially vulnerable to push-in attempts.

The districts include Chuadanga, Meherpur, Jashore, Satkhira, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Feni, Moulvibazar, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Khagrachhari, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Joypurhat, Cumilla, Sylhet, Habiganj, Sunamganj, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Nilphamari, Panchagarh, Brahmanbaria and Sherpur.

In addition to uniformed patrols, BGB members in plain clothes have reportedly intensified intelligence-gathering activities in border regions.

Recent Incidents

BGB reported that on Saturday alone, attempts were allegedly made to push individuals into Bangladesh through the Tentulbaria border in Meherpur, the Moshalgaon border in Haripur, Thakurgaon, and the Birampur border in Dinajpur.

According to the force, strong resistance by BGB personnel and local residents prevented these attempts. BGB further stated that from 3 June onward it had foiled 18 additional incidents involving 186 individuals at various border points.

Border sources cited by BGB claim that groups of men, women and children have been assembled in several frontier areas for potential push-ins. While some individuals were reportedly taken back after attempts failed, others were allegedly not permitted to move further into Indian territory and remained stranded near the border.

Border Geography and Security Concerns

More than half of the Bangladesh–India border—2,216 kilometres—lies adjacent to the Indian state of West Bengal. The remainder borders Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam. While certain sections are fenced, extensive stretches remain unfenced, making surveillance and enforcement challenging.

Reports indicate that BSF activity concerning alleged push-ins has increased following political developments in West Bengal. After the state assembly election, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as Chief Minister on 9 May and subsequently announced that “illegal Bangladeshis” and “intruders” would be detained and sent back to Bangladesh.

BGB Position

Shariful Islam, Public Relations Officer at BGB headquarters, stated that any attempt to push individuals across the international boundary is inconsistent with established laws, border-management procedures and bilateral understandings between Bangladesh and India. He reiterated that no individual or group would be allowed to enter Bangladesh illegally and asserted that no push-in had succeeded since 3 June.

According to BGB data, between 7 May 2025 and 26 January this year, a total of 2,479 individuals were allegedly pushed into Bangladesh, including 120 Indian nationals. The force maintains that no such incidents have occurred successfully since then.

Issues for the New Delhi Conference

BGB Deputy Director General (Media) Colonel Abul Hasnat Mahmud Azam said the forthcoming conference would prioritise discussions on preventing the forcible transfer of Indian nationals and displaced Myanmar citizens into Bangladesh. Bangladesh is also expected to raise concerns regarding alleged killings, injuries and abuses of unarmed Bangladeshi nationals along the border.

Other agenda items include:

Allegations of Border Killings

Apart from push-in allegations, concerns remain over fatalities along the frontier. According to data from the Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 34 Bangladeshi nationals were killed by BSF personnel in 2025. Of those, 24 reportedly died from gunfire and 10 from alleged torture. The organisation recorded 30 border deaths in 2024 and 31 in 2023.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that Bangladesh does not support any form of illegal push-in or push-back. He said BGB had been instructed to remain on high alert to safeguard national sovereignty and border security.