Border Vigil Tightens After Repeated Push-In Attempts

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified patrols, public warnings and surveillance activities along the Maheshpur border in Jhenaidah following what it says were five separate attempts by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push people into Bangladesh over the past seven days. According to BGB, each of those attempts was successfully prevented, and no push-in incident has taken place in the Maheshpur frontier area so far.

To strengthen border security, BGB personnel have been conducting special patrols, issuing warnings through handheld loudspeakers, maintaining positions in roadside vegetation and engaging local residents in monitoring efforts. The force maintains that attempts to send people illegally into Bangladeshi territory are continuing, but heightened vigilance has so far prevented any unauthorised entry through the sector.

According to BGB sources, Maheshpur Upazila falls under the jurisdiction of the 58 BGB Battalion, which oversees 12 Border Observation Posts (BOPs). At least five of these—Jadabpur, Samanta, Matila, and Baghadanga among them—have been identified as being at heightened risk of push-in attempts. Surveillance and patrol operations have therefore been strengthened in these locations.

Border Security Overview

Maheshpur shares a 78-kilometre border with India. While around 68 kilometres are protected by barbed-wire fencing, approximately 10 kilometres near the Jadabpur and Matila BOPs remain unfenced. BGB considers these stretches particularly vulnerable because they offer easier access across the frontier.

On the Indian side of the border are areas under Banshkhali Police Station in Nadia district and Bagda Police Station in North 24 Parganas district. BGB officials say these locations have featured in their security assessments as they continue monitoring developments along the frontier.

Harun Or Rashid, a resident of the border village of Gopalpur, said local people had observed groups of individuals being brought to areas adjacent to the border fence by large vehicles. According to him, attempts were later made to move those people across the border by opening gates and switching off lights near the fencing during the night. He said the efforts were unsuccessful because of the combined vigilance of local residents and BGB personnel. He also stated that attempts had been made during daylight hours and were similarly resisted by villagers.

During a visit to the Jadabpur, Samanta, Matila, Baghadanga, Kusumpur and Srinathpur BOP areas on Thursday, BGB patrols were seen operating throughout the frontier. Personnel equipped with loudspeakers and whistles were carrying out monitoring duties. In particular, BGB presence was prominent in Gopalpur under Natima Union and in the Samanta and Matila border areas under Kajirber Union. Patrol duties continued in shifts, with one team taking over as another paused for meals.

Nazrul Islam, a resident of Jadabpur village, said local people immediately inform BGB whenever they notice signs of a possible push-in attempt. He added that villagers have been staying awake at night to assist in border watch activities alongside BGB personnel. While describing the community as united, he acknowledged that some concern remains among residents over the possibility of an untoward incident.

Lieutenant Colonel Md Rafiqul Alam, Commanding Officer of the 58 BGB Battalion, said BSF had attempted push-ins through various points along the border on five occasions but had not succeeded. He stated that BGB soldiers remain on constant alert and are maintaining uninterrupted surveillance and patrol operations across the frontier.

He further said that residents of border communities, along with members of Ansar and the Village Police, are assisting BGB patrols and providing information. According to the battalion commander, BGB will continue its efforts to safeguard Bangladesh’s sovereignty and maintain security along the border.