BSF Constable Strays into Bangladesh During Patrol, Safely Repatriated

A Border Security Force (BSF) constable inadvertently entered Bangladeshi territory during an anti-smuggling operation in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district but was safely repatriated by Sunday afternoon. The constable, Ved Prakash from the 174th Battalion, crossed the international boundary early Sunday while pursuing suspected cattle smugglers amid dense fog that significantly impaired visibility along the border.

Senior BSF officials emphasized that the incident was accidental, occurring during a routine patrol when Prakash became separated from his team. Immediate coordination between the BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) facilitated his prompt return, with the handover completed by afternoon following established bilateral protocols.

Authorities dismissed any notions of abduction, stating that local residents in Bangladesh likely detained the constable shortly after his unintended entry and subsequently alerted the BGB. The Bangladeshi border force then liaised effectively with BSF counterparts to ensure his safe handover without incident.

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In response to the event, the BSF has intensified security measures across vulnerable sections of the Cooch Behar border. Enhanced surveillance, additional troop deployments, and coordinated patrols have been implemented to deter exploitation of foggy conditions by trans-border criminals.

Cattle smuggling continues to pose a major challenge along the 4,096-kilometer India-Bangladesh frontier, particularly during winter months when dense morning fog provides cover for illicit activities. The BSF maintains heightened operations throughout this season to curb smuggling and other cross-border violations, underscoring the ongoing vigilance required in these sensitive areas.

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