In North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, alert troops of the South Bengal Frontier of BSF once again faced an attack by Bangladeshi smugglers attempting to forcefully carry out smuggling activities. The vigilant and courageous Jawans at Border Outpost Madhupur of the 59 Battalion bravely faced the deadly assault and thwarted the smuggling attempt with full determination. Despite adverse conditions, the Jawans maintained restraint and prevent the smuggling attempt. In the firing done in self-defense, one Bangladeshi smuggler was killed, while the other smugglers managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness and high bushes. From the incident site, 175 bottles of Phensedyl, 2 bottles of English liquor, 1 torch, 3 sickles and 1 sharp machete were recovered.
According to the information, at around 1 AM on the night of 27 April, during the second shift duty at Border Outpost Madhupur, a Jawan noticed suspicious movement of about 20–25 armed smugglers on both sides of the border fencing. The smugglers were trying to throw some suspicious bundles over the fencing with the intent of smuggling. The Jawan immediately alerted his fellow troops and quickly advanced toward the smugglers. He challenged them, but the smugglers, finding the Jawan alone, ignored the warning and tried to surround him with sharp weapons and sticks, while flashing a powerful torchlight into his eyes. Meanwhile, other smugglers continued throwing Phensedyl bundles over the fencing. Sensing the increasing threat to his life,Jawan fired one round from his PAG into the air to disperse the advancing criminals. Hearing the firing, smugglers standing near the fencing on the Indian side fled.
At the same time, an ambush party of BSF troops deployed ahead of the fencing spotted a large group of Bangladeshi smugglers moving to retrieve the bundles of Phensedyl thrown over the fencing. The ambush party immediately moved swiftly towards them and challenged the smugglers. However, smugglers ignored the warning and tried to surround the Jawans with sharp weapons and sticks, again using the torchlight beam to reduce the Jawans visibility. Sensing the imminent danger, Jawans fired one round from the PAG into the air to disperse the smugglers. However, the Bangladeshi smugglers, undeterred, kept advancing towards the Jawans and attacked them with sharp weapons and sticks. Managing to protect himself and recognizing the serious threat to his life, Jawans fired a round directly towards the smugglers, causing them to panic and scatter. Additional troops arrived at the scene promptly. Witnessing the alertness and swift action of the Jawans,smugglers took advantage of the darkness and dense bushes to flee towards Bangladesh.
Upon thorough searching of the area, the body of a Bangladeshi smuggler was found lying in the bushes, along with the recovery of 175 bottles of Phensedyl, 2 bottles of English liquor, a high-beam torch, 3 sickles, and a sharp machete.
The dead Bangladeshi smuggler’s body, along with the seized items, was handed over to the police, and FIR has been lodged regarding the incident.
The spokesperson of the Border Security Force, South Bengal Frontier, stated that the Jawans at the borders are continuously performing their duties with alertness and bravery. Cases of infiltration and attacks by Bangladeshi smugglers have been regularly raised by BSF with the BGB. Unfortunately, due to inadequate response, the miscreants continue to indulge in criminal activities . BSF remains committed to taking all necessary measures to protect the nation’s borders in the national interest.
