BSF foils Bangladeshi nationals’ bid to enter India

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday said it thwarted an attempt by a group of Bangladeshi nationals to cross into India through the South Salmara-Mankachar district in Assam.

According to a statement by the BSF’s Guwahati Frontier, personnel stationed along the India-Bangladesh border noticed suspicious movement from the Bangladesh side early in the morning. The troops reportedly took swift action, challenging the group, which then retreated.

“This incident underscores our commitment to securing the international boundary,” the BSF said.

The announcement came shortly after media reports emerged alleging that the BSF had tried to push back 14 Bangladeshi nationals near the Thauranbari area, prompting opposition from the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and local civilians. The situation escalated briefly, with reports claiming the BSF fired into the air to disperse the crowd and that some BGB personnel crossed the Zero Line during the confrontation.

A video circulating online showed a man, identifying himself as a schoolteacher from Assam’s Morigaon district, claiming to be among those allegedly pushed back—adding further confusion to the incident.

A BSF official denied any pushback attempt, stating, “We only prevented unauthorized entry into India. The reports of a pushback are unfounded. The situation is under control.”

Tensions have risen along the 262-km Assam-Bangladesh border following increased movement after the reported fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh earlier this month.

Earlier, on May 10, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had stated that the state was regularly pushing back illegal entrants from Bangladesh without following legal procedures, and that the process had become “institutionalised” through coordination with the BGB.

In response, Bangladeshi media reported that the BGB has lodged a formal protest with the BSF over these alleged “push-in” practices.