BSF chased away by locals at border

Staff Reporter:

A team of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) reportedly crossed into Bangladesh through the Zakiganj border in Sylhet and vandalized several vegetable fields and structures.

The incident took place around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at the Rasulpur border area of Ward No. 9, Manikpur Union, on the banks of the Kushiyara River in Zakiganj upazila.

Locals alleged that BSF members trespassed into Bangladeshi territory and destroyed bamboo fences and small structures in local vegetable cultivation areas.

Upon receiving the news, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel and agitated locals confronted and resisted the BSF members, who eventually fled back across the border.

Hashem Ali, a resident of Rasulpur village, said, “When we heard about the intrusion, villagers rushed to the spot. Our resistance forced the BSF to retreat beyond the border. We are now on alert.”

Lieutenant Colonel Md. Zubayer Anwar, commanding officer of the 19 BGB Battalion in Zakiganj, said, “We immediately lodged a protest over the intrusion into Bangladeshi territory. The BSF has been given a strong warning to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. A flag meeting was held regarding the matter.”