Shillong: In a decisive move to tighten security along the Indo-Bangladesh border, the Border Security Force (BSF) Meghalaya Frontier apprehended 78 Bangladeshi nationals and 37 Indian citizens in the first quarter of 2025. The arrests are part of a sustained crackdown against illegal infiltration and smuggling networks that have long plagued the sensitive international boundary.
Among those detained were six touts believed to be instrumental in facilitating cross-border movement. According to BSF officials, initial interrogations have already provided valuable leads, with intelligence passed on to state police and central agencies to dismantle broader syndicates operating in the region.
Alongside these arrests, BSF units carried out a series of anti-smuggling operations, seizing contraband estimated to be worth Rs 11.70 crore. The seizures included more than 750 heads of cattle, narcotics such as Yaba tablets and ganja, Indian and foreign liquor, garments, and miscellaneous goods being trafficked across the border.
In a strategic show of coordination, BSF Meghalaya intensified collaboration with their Bangladeshi counterparts, the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB). Regular field-level meetings were held to identify vulnerable infiltration points, exchange operational updates, and devise joint border management strategies to stem the tide of transnational crime.
The BSF also continued its people-centric approach, conducting 22 Civic Action Programs and 13 blood donation camps during the same period. These included free health check-ups and distribution of essential items in remote border villages, reinforcing the force’s commitment to public welfare alongside its security mandate.
Officials have confirmed that investigations into the arrested individuals are ongoing, with particular attention on uncovering and disabling the networks that facilitate illegal entry, smuggling, and human trafficking. With heightened vigilance and an uncompromising stance on cross-border crime, BSF Meghalaya remains at the forefront of safeguarding India’s northeastern frontier.
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