Authorities Identify 600 Bangladeshi Immigrants In J&K, Deport 150 Amid Ongoing Verification Drive

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have identified around 600 Bangladeshi nationals who were allegedly staying illegally across the Kashmir Valley, officials said, as the administration began a process to deport those found to be in the region without valid documentation. On Monday, a batch of 150 people was moved out of Jammu and Kashmir and flown to Bagdogra in West Bengal on a special Indian Air Force aircraft. They were subsequently handed over to Border Security Force (BSF) personnel as part of the deportation process.

The identification followed a survey conducted across the Kashmir Valley by the administration with assistance from the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Officials said the exercise was aimed at identifying Bangladeshi nationals allegedly residing in the region illegally. During the survey, approximately 600 people were identified, after which they were placed in a camp operated by the Srinagar Police. Authorities are now transporting the people from the camp in batches to Bagdogra, from where the process of sending them back to Bangladesh is expected to continue.

The first reported batch of 150 people was transported on Monday. Officials said a special Indian Air Force aircraft was used to fly the group from Jammu and Kashmir to Bagdogra, a key airport in northern West Bengal. After arriving there, the group was handed over to BSF personnel, who are responsible for securing India's international borders, including the frontier with Bangladesh. The transfer to West Bengal is part of the logistical process before the individuals are ultimately pushed back or deported to their country of origin.

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The action comes amid increased scrutiny by authorities over undocumented foreign nationals living in different parts of India. In Jammu and Kashmir, the administration and police have been conducting verification exercises to establish the identity and legal status of people suspected of living in the region without valid documents. Officials have described the individuals identified in the latest survey as Bangladeshi nationals staying illegally, although the available information does not provide details about the documentation status or individual circumstances of all 600 people identified.

The people identified during the exercise have been kept under the supervision of Srinagar Police while arrangements are made for their onward movement. Officials said the use of batches is intended to facilitate the transportation of those being processed for deportation. The movement of the first group to Bagdogra also places the next stage of the process closer to India's eastern border with Bangladesh, where the BSF has responsibility for border management and coordination related to cross-border movement.

Authorities are expected to continue the process for the remaining people identified during the survey. Officials have not provided a detailed timeline for the deportation of all around 600 individuals or disclosed whether additional verification exercises will be conducted elsewhere in Jammu and Kashmir. The latest action represents a coordinated effort involving the local administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Air Force and the BSF, with the 150 people moved on Monday becoming the first reported batch in the ongoing deportation process.

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