BGB Rescues 65 Smuggled Turtles Along Brahmanbaria Border

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) troops intercepted a wildlife smuggling attempt along the Kasba border in Brahmanbaria, recovering 65 freshwater turtles. Acted on precise intelligence, a patrol team from the Saldanadi Border Outpost (BOP) under the Sultanpur Battalion (60 BGB) executed a targeted operation on Tuesday, 21 July, in the Shahid Minar area of Kasba upazila.

Upon sensing the approach of border guards, the smugglers abandoned the consignment and fled the scene to avoid arrest. Inspection of the seized sacks revealed 61 Indian flap-shell turtles (locally known as Sondi Kasim) alongside four larger peacock softshell turtles (Pepsel Turtle). Both freshwater species are protected under national wildlife conservation frameworks due to ecological decline caused by illegal trafficking.

Following legal protocols and wildlife protection guidelines, officials arranged for the immediate release of the reptiles back into their natural habitat. Under the supervision of forest department representatives and in the presence of BGB personnel, all 65 turtles were safely released into the Salda River.

The official release event brought together key officials and local leaders, including Salda River Company Commander Naib Subedar Md Masud, Comilla Social Forest Department Officer-in-Charge Md Mazehar Islam Chowdhury, and Brahmanpara Upazila Forest Officer Mohammad Mostafa Kamal. Speaking at the release site, officials highlighted the vital role freshwater turtles play in maintaining aquatic ecosystems and natural water filtration, underscoring the urgent need for heightened public awareness against wildlife trafficking.

Lieutenant Colonel SM Shariful Islam, Commanding Officer of Sultanpur Battalion (60 BGB), affirmed that the border force remains steadfast in safeguarding natural resources alongside its primary security mandates. He noted that BGB maintains a strict stance against cross-border smuggling, illegal infiltration, trafficking of women and children, and narcotics smuggling. He assured that intelligence-led surveillance and counter-smuggling drives along border regions will continue unabated to protect endangered native wildlife.