BSF removes people from Benapole border after 3-day standoff

India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday removed 10 to 12 women, men and children who had been kept near the zero line along the Benapole-Sadipur border following an alleged attempt to push them into Bangladesh, ending a three-day standoff between border forces of the two countries.

Following the removal of the group by BSF, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) withdrew additional personnel deployed in the area and resumed normal patrol operations.

Tension had persisted along the Sadipur border since Sunday night after reports emerged that the BSF was attempting to push a group of people into Bangladesh. The stranded individuals remained near the zero line under open skies amid rain and intense heat.

According to BGB and local sources, the BSF claimed the individuals were Bangladeshi nationals and sought to send them across the border without completing established verification procedures. BGB refused to accept them, saying no credible evidence had been provided to confirm their Bangladeshi citizenship.

The border force maintained that no one would be allowed to enter Bangladesh until their nationality was properly verified.

Sources said that on the night of 31 May, the BSF brought around 100 to 120 people in three trucks to Haridaspur on the Indian side of the border opposite Sadipur, allegedly with the intention of pushing them into Bangladesh. The attempt was thwarted due to heightened vigilance by BGB personnel.

In response, BGB strengthened security along the Benapole frontier by deploying additional forces, intensifying patrols and increasing surveillance in vulnerable areas.

Lieutenant Colonel Golam Mohammad Saiful Alam Khan, commanding officer of the Jashore-49 BGB Battalion, said Indian authorities switched off border lights near the fence on the night of 31 May, raising suspicions of a push-in attempt.

"We noticed around 100 to 120 people being brought to the border area and immediately intensified patrols. Despite repeated warnings, 10 to 12 individuals were released near the zero line inside Indian territory. We did not allow them to enter Bangladesh under any circumstances," he said.

He added that the group was removed from the area by Indian authorities early Wednesday morning.