Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stand guard at the India-Bangladesh border check post, at Phulbari, on the outskirts of Siliguri, on May 9, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel manning an outpost in western Assam’s South Salmara-Mankachar district foiled an attempt by a large group of Bangladeshi nationals to cross over to India on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) morning.

The incident happened when the BSF personnel reportedly tried to deport 14 Bangladeshi people found staying in India illegally.

Eyewitnesses said the infiltration attempt led to an altercation between the BSF personnel and their counterparts on the other side of the international boundary – the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Shots were reportedly fired in the air to keep a large group of people from advancing beyond the zero line separating the two countries.

Senior officials of the two border-guarding forces intervened to de-escalate the situation.

However, the BSF neither confirmed the reports of deportation nor the altercation with the BGB men.

The BSF said in a statement that its personnel observed suspicious movement of Bangladeshi nationals approaching the international border to cross over. “Acting swiftly, BSF troops challenged them to prevent their unauthorised entry into Indian territory. The Bangladeshi mob subsequently retreated into Bangladesh,” the statement said.

“The BSF remains dedicated to its mission of securing the nation’s borders while upholding humanitarian principles and international cooperation,” it further said.

Deportee’s claim

Meanwhile, a man who was earlier repatriated to Bangladesh following his detention in Assam claimed that he was an Indian citizen. In a video message, he claimed that he owns land and a house in Assam.

He said he was made to cross the border along with others and left stranded in a field on the Bangladesh side. “I was taken to the office of the Superintendent of Police from the detention centre and then escorted to the Mankachar border without any explanation,” he said.