Guwahati: In a swift and decisive operation, security forces in Assam’s South Salmara Mankachar district successfully thwarted an alleged infiltration attempt early this morning, apprehending eight Bangladeshi nationals and two Indian touts.
The arrests, made around 5:30 AM in the Fekamari Tinali area, followed credible intelligence indicating cross-border movement.
The joint operation, meticulously planned and executed under the supervision of the Assistant Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) and involving the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Border), officers and personnel from Kharuabandha Outpost, and troops from the 183 Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF), moved in on the suspected group.
Intelligence reports had specifically pointed to eight Bangladeshi nationals reaching Fekamari with intentions to cross over into Bangladesh from the operational area of Border Outpost (BOP) Sanjay Sadhu and Deepchar.
The apprehended Bangladeshi nationals have been identified as Tarek Ali (26) from Kesabpur village, who reportedly entered via Sonamasjid, Bangladesh – Malda, West Bengal; MD Rabel (25) from Dev Nagar village, who entered via Komilla, Bangladesh – Agartala, Tripura; MD Riyaj (22) from Madhyachar village, who entered from the Rajshahi side; Abdul Hamid (22) from DR Manikchari village, who also used the Komilla–Agartala route; MD Nadim Islam (36) from Keshavpur village, who reportedly arrived legally on a VISA through Haridaspur ICP, West Bengal; Dulal Hoque (30) from DR Manikchar, who entered via the Cooch Behar–Siliguri axis; MD Morsalim (22) from Kundulia, who entered from Tripura; and MD Sariful Islam from Horma, who also entered from Tripura. All the Bangladeshi nationals hail from the Rajshahi district.
Crucially, two Indian touts suspected of facilitating this cross-border movement were also nabbed during the operation. They have been identified as Khairul Islam (25) from Borobila and Nurul Islam (25) from Nandia, Pipulbari. The touts were found to be using a black Mahindra Bolero Neo, bearing registration number AS-01 FU 1779, which authorities suspect was being used for trafficking purposes.
Currently, all apprehended Bangladeshi nationals are lodged at the Sishumara BOP of BSF, where biometric data collection and rigorous interrogation are underway. Following the completion of verification and adherence to due protocol, they will be formally pushed back to Bangladesh. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the two Indian touts. Authorities have emphasised that further investigation is actively ongoing to identify additional facilitators and unearth deeper linkages within the suspected trafficking network. Close coordination is being maintained with the BSF, local intelligence units, and cyber cell personnel to gather and analyse supporting evidence, while steps are being taken to intensify surveillance in this sensitive border sector.
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