BGB-BSF Talks: Dhaka flags 39 deviations in border fencing

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has raised concerns over multiple deviations in India’s border fencing projects and urged the Border Security Force to halt unauthorised construction near the frontier, according to a BGB statement.

The issue featured prominently at the 57th Director General-level Border Conference between the two border forces, held from June 8 to 11 in New Delhi, the statement said. BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui led the 14-member Bangladeshi delegation, while BSF Director General Praveen Kumar headed the 12-member Indian side.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

The BGB issued the statement yesterday afternoon, a day after the BSF released a joint statement following the conclusion of the meeting. The joint statement did not detail the full range of issues discussed, while the BGB statement outlined them in 11 points.

Referring to diplomatic notes previously issued by Bangladesh, the BGB statement said at least 39 deviations had been observed in security-related fencing (SRF) projects by India.

The Bangladesh delegation reiterated that prior concurrence from the relevant Bangladeshi authorities is required for any construction or development activity within 150 yards of the border, in line with existing bilateral understandings.

The BGB urged India to rectify the identified deviations and requested that any future construction of security-related infrastructure be discussed through diplomatic channels.

Both sides agreed to instruct field-level units to refrain from unauthorised construction and strictly adhere to existing bilateral protocols, according to separate statements issued by the two forces yesterday.

The conference also reviewed a range of border management issues, including border killings, push-ins, narcotics trafficking, illegal migration, border demarcation, water-sharing concerns and the spread of misinformation.

On border killings, the BGB expressed deep concern over the deaths of unarmed Bangladeshi nationals allegedly caused by the use of lethal and non-lethal force by BSF personnel and Indian nationals.

Bangladesh urged India to take effective measures to bring such incidents down to zero.

Both sides agreed to strengthen border security mechanisms, increase joint patrols, intensify surveillance, and conduct awareness campaigns to prevent illegal crossings and reduce incidents of violence along the frontier.

The issue of recent “push-ins” also received significant attention.

The BGB expressed concern over reports that Rohingya, Myanmar nationals, and Indian citizens were being pushed into Bangladeshi territory, describing such actions as inconsistent with existing bilateral agreements and border management protocols.

According to BGB, the force has thwarted more than 30 such attempts since early June, following the formation of BJP-led state governments in West Bengal and Assam. Official figures show that at least 2,303 people were pushed into Bangladesh between May 2025 and January 2026. Among them were 126 Indian nationals and 38 Myanmar nationals.

Noting the immense suffering of the “pushed-in” individuals, the border force urged the BSF to take immediate steps to stop such practices. The BGB reiterated that verified Bangladeshi nationals would be accepted through established repatriation mechanisms and urged India to follow agreed procedures.

Both sides agreed to uphold existing bilateral arrangements and maintain cooperation based on mutual trust and good-neighbourly relations.

During the meeting, BGB also raised concerns about alleged anti-Bangladesh activities by separatist and armed groups in Mizoram and sought India’s cooperation in taking necessary action against such groups.

In response, BSF reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy towards insurgent and terrorist groups, regardless of nationality, and said Indian territory would not be allowed to be used for such activities.

The Bangladesh side also highlighted the continued influx of narcotics, including heroin, Phensedyl, Yaba, cannabis, and other drugs from India, describing the trade as a serious threat to both countries.

The two border forces reaffirmed their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on narcotics and agreed to step up coordinated patrols and real-time intelligence sharing.

On illegal migration and human trafficking, both sides agreed to strengthen preventive measures, take tougher action against trafficking networks, and ensure timely rescue, rehabilitation and support for victims.

The BGB also raised concerns over counterfeit currency, gold smuggling and unauthorised infrastructure projects near the border, including electric poles, CCTV cameras, roads and other structures close to the zero line.

The conference further discussed unresolved border demarcation issues, the installation of permanent boundary pillars, water withdrawal from the Kushiyara river and pending riverbank protection projects in border districts vulnerable to erosion and flooding.

The two sides provisionally agreed to hold the next director general-level border conference in Dhaka in November 2026.

BANGLADESHI KILLED BY BSF

A Bangladeshi youth was killed in BSF firing in the Dattagram border area of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar yesterday evening, according to the BGB.

The deceased was identified as Md Mujib Ali, 20, son of Md Ajib Ali, of Dattagram village.

Lt Col Sarkar Asif Mahmud, commanding officer of Srimangal Battalion (46 BGB), said a group of six to seven Bangladeshi smugglers, with the assistance of Indian smugglers, illegally entered the Indian territory approximately 500 yards from border pillar 1852/5-S through the Dattagram border around 7:00pm to bring in smuggled goods.

Quoting BSF officials, Lt Col Asif said as personnel from BSF’s Lathiapura camp intercepted the group, the Bangladeshi smugglers attempted to attack them with locally made weapons.

In response, BSF officials claimed, its personnel fired two to three rounds in self-defence, leaving one Bangladeshi named Mujib Ali dead on the spot, he said.

The remaining members of the group fled back to Bangladesh and went into hiding, he said, quoting BSF. The BSF reportedly took away the body after the incident, the BGB commanding officer added.

Zahirul Islam Munna, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kulaura Police Station, said a police team was sent to the scene after receiving information about the incident.

Nipa Rani Das, acting chairperson of Sharifpur Union Parishad, said, “We have learned that Mujib was shot by the BSF after entering the Manu River area in Nishchintapur and crossing into the Indian side.”