In a major interception along the Indo-Bangladesh border area in Nadia district, the Border Security Force (BSF) foiled an attempt to smuggle 11 peacocks into Bangladesh. Troops of the BSF’s 32nd Battalion recovered the birds late Saturday night near the Fulbari border in Krishnaganj.
According to BSF sources, a jawan posted at the border noticed several individuals hurling three large packets across the barbed-wire fencing towards Bangladesh under cover of darkness. The jawan immediately alerted nearby personnel.
Moments later, several Bangladeshi smugglers were seen approaching the packets. As the BSF patrol advanced to intercept them, the smugglers allegedly charged with sharp weapons and opened fire. The BSF claims it fired two rounds in self-defense, prompting the group to flee back into the darkness.
Once the area was secured, the soldiers retrieved the packets— inside which they found 11 live peacocks. The birds were rescued and later handed over to the forest department, which has arranged for them to be transferred to the Purulia forest range for safe rehabilitation.
No arrests were made as the smugglers escaped after spotting the BSF patrol. “We estimate the market value of the recovered peacocks to be in the range of several lakhs of Bangladeshi currency. An investigation is underway to determine the source of the birds, the intended smuggling route, and whether an organised cross-border wildlife trafficking network is involved,” said a forest department official.
Reacting to the incident, BJP district-level leader Somnath Kar praised the BSF’s vigilance, saying, “This is yet another success for the BSF. They have repeatedly prevented smuggling—whether it is cattle or gold. If you look closely at the border areas, you will find certain Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders linked to these smugglers. The broker network thrives because the state administration protects them.”
TMC’s local leader Sanat Chakraborty dismissed the allegations, stating, “The BSF rescued the peacocks—that is their responsibility. Border security is handled by the Home Ministry. If smugglers are active there, the accountability lies with the BSF.”
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