In a swift and vigilant operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) thwarted an attempt to smuggle drugs across the Indo-Bangladesh border on the morning of November 10, 2024. Around 11:00 pm, alert personnel from the 5th Battalion spotted four individuals attempting to cross the border, carrying sharp weapons and contraband items. Despite repeated verbal warnings, the suspects ignored all preventive measures and continued moving towards the international border. As the BSF personnel approached to apprehend them, the smugglers attempted to attack the jawans with their weapons.
In response to the suspects’ aggressive behavior, the BSF jawans fired a warning shot into the air, both in self-defense and to prevent further advancement. Upon hearing the shot, two suspects fled towards the Indian border, while the other two discarded their bag and jumped into the Ichhamati River to evade capture. The BSF Quick Reaction Team (QRT) swiftly secured the area and launched an intensive search along both sides of the riverbank. The BSF personnel quickly recovered a plastic bag containing 150 Phensedyl bottles, which had been discarded by the suspects. Additional searches of the area led to the recovery of 350 more Phensedyl bottles and two sharp weapons. Phensedyl is classified as a banned substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).
After several hours of search efforts, at around 4:00 am,BSF jawans apprehended two suspects hiding under water hyacinths in the river. The suspects resisted arrest and scuffled with the jawans, resulting in minor injuries to the BSF personnel. Following their apprehension, the detainees were brought to BOP Angrail. On humanitarian grounds, BSF personnel provided blankets, hot tea, and arranged a fire for warmth, as the suspects had been exposed to cold water for an extended period. Unfortunately, one of the detainees, later identified as Babai Barai, began feeling unwell. Barai was immediately transported to the nearest hospital for medical evaluation, but despite urgent care, he tragically died during treatment. The exact cause of death will be determined following a postmortem examination.
The other detained individual, who remains in good health, has been handed over to the local police along with the seized contraband, and a case is being registered under the relevant sections.
Investigations reveal that Barai had a history of involvement in smuggling. After serving a two-year sentence for Phensedyl smuggling under the NDPS Act in 2021, he was recently arrested again by the BSF on 25 May 2024 for similar offenses and was out on bail at the time of the incident. Barai had reportedly resumed smuggling activities, including Phensedyl and gold, across the border following his release.
Speaking on the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the BSF South Bengal Frontier praised the BSF jawans’ dedication and vigilance in challenging circumstances. The officer highlighted that the humane treatment provided to the detainees reflects the BSF’s core values of duty, respect, and responsibility. Despite Barai’s history of illegal activities, the BSF jawans made every effort to ensure his welfare, providing immediate medical assistance when he reported feeling unwell.
