Amid heightened tensions and security alerts in the western regions bordering Pakistan, Border Security Force (BSF) officials in West Bengal have stated that the eastern border shared with Bangladesh and Nepal remains relatively stable.
“Despite the relative calm compared to the western border, the BSF in South Bengal remains vigilant and prepared to address any potential security challenges while actively working to dispel misinformation that could cause unnecessary panic or disruption in the border regions,” said DIG (South Bengal), BSF, N K Pandey.
While maintaining a state of alert and round-the-clock monitoring, the BSF in South Bengal is also actively combating the spread of fake news regarding border restrictions.
This comes in response to recent rumours circulating about a complete curfew in the border areas. Dismissing these claims, a BSF source said, “Such rumours have no base; they are totally false. Movement restrictions are there like normal. The main transit points, Gojadanga and Petrapole, are functioning. There is alertness and sensitisation, but there is no extra deployment or mobilisation.”
West Bengal shares international borders with three countries: Bangladesh to the east, Nepal to the northwest, and Bhutan to the north. “It is important to note that West Bengal does not share a direct border with Pakistan. The two countries are geographically separated by a significant distance and several other Indian states,” said another official.
DIG Pandey said that the BSF is well-prepared for any situation or to check any infiltration attempts. In the past week alone, the BSF’s South Bengal Frontier said it has apprehended at least 15 individuals illegally attempting to cross into India.
“The security challenges for West Bengal are more localised to its eastern and northern borders and involve different dynamics than the India-Pakistan situation,” added an official.
The recent escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan has significantly affected the western border of India. This exchange has led to a state of high alert in several Indian states.
Meanwhile, security measures have been significantly intensified along West Bengal’s coastal belt, particularly in the South 24 Parganas district. The move comes amid fears of possible infiltration attempts or maritime threats along the Bay of Bengal. Coastal surveillance operations have been ramped up, and security agencies have been placed on high alert across key locations along the Bay of Bengal.
On Friday morning, police in the South 24 Parganas district reinforced their presence in coastal blocks such as Gangasagar, Namkhana, Patharpratima, Canning, Gosaba, and Basanti. The Sundarban police district also deployed additional speedboats for patrolling estuaries, creeks, and remote riverine zones that are often used by infiltrators or smugglers.
Interestingly, officials have noted a higher number of “exfiltrations” — people wanting to return to Bangladesh — compared to infiltrations. In the last week, approximately 75-80 individuals were recorded returning to Bangladesh.
A source within a central agency suggested that this increased exfiltration could be a direct consequence of the recent nationwide crackdown on Bangladeshi immigrants living illegally in various Indian states. This crackdown appears to be prompting some individuals to voluntarily return to their home country.