In response to the escalating political turmoil in Bangladesh following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Border Security Force (BSF) has declared a "high alert" along the entire 4,096-kilometre India-Bangladesh border.
The precautionary measure aims to ensure national security and prevent any potential fallout from the unrest that has resulted in significant loss of life and increased tensions in the neighbouring country.
BSF Director General (Acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary, accompanied by senior commanders, conducted an extensive inspection of the border regions in West Bengal on Monday.
The DG arrived in Kolkata around 10:30 AM from Delhi and proceeded to review security measures in vulnerable areas, including the remote North 24 Parganas district and the Sunderbans riverine region.
In light of the recent developments, Chawdhary has instructed all field commanders to maintain a visible presence on the ground and to deploy all personnel assigned to border duty immediately.
“In view of the changed situation in Bangladesh, the BSF has issued alerts all along the Indo-Bangladesh border, and the number of troops deployed has been increased,” stated a spokesperson for the South Bengal Frontier, headquartered in Kolkata.
Heightened vigilance
The BSF has been proactive in enhancing its security posture, having previously canceled leaves for personnel stationed along the Bangladesh border.
This decision was made following massive protests in Bangladesh, which have claimed over 106 lives in the past two days. Now, all units have been placed on high alert, prepared to respond to any unforeseen situations.
A senior officer from the eastern command expressed concerns regarding potential increases in illegal crossings and cross-border crimes amid the unrest.
The BSF is in constant communication with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) to monitor and manage the situation effectively.
As part of these heightened security measures, all land customs stations (LCS) and integrated check posts (ICPs) along the border have been placed on alert, and civilian movement has been restricted.
The BSF is closely monitoring the situation, and as of now, officials maintain that the overall scenario along the India-Bangladesh border remains normal.
Ongoing monitoring and student safety
Despite the unrest in Bangladesh, the BSF has reported that about 2,894 Indian students studying in the country have crossed back into India.
An additional 3,000 students are expected to return in the coming days. This influx is being closely monitored to ensure the safety and security of all individuals involved.
The BSF, tasked with guarding India's eastern frontier, operates across five states and has deployed approximately 87 battalions, comprising about 90,000 troops, along the India-Bangladesh border.
West Bengal alone shares a significant stretch of 2,217 kilometres with Bangladesh, alongside Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Assam (262 km), and Mizoram (318 km).
The unrest in Bangladesh intensified following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation amid widespread protests against her government.
Her departure marks a significant turning point in the political landscape of the nation, as she fled the country to escape the mounting chaos.
Her military aircraft was confirmed to have landed at the Hindon air force base near Delhi late in the evening, signaling the severity of the crisis.
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