Bangladeshi spy held near military cantonment in WB
Patna: The Border Security Force (BSF) has arrested a suspected
Bangladeshi spy
,
Asharful Alam
, near the Bagdogra military cantonment in West Bengal. BSF personnel from the Kishanganj sector arrested Alam while he was allegedly collecting sensitive information in the vicinity of the military installation.During initial interrogation, Alam claimed to be a former employee of Bangladesh's intelligence agency and admitted to being a spy.
Following this revelation, the BSF opted to send him to Delhi for further investigation. According to BSF sources, Alam is currently being held near Siliguri, close to Bagdogra Airport, rather than being transferred to the Kishanganj BSF headquarters. It is believed he may be flown directly to Delhi from Bagdogra.Military sources said Alam was arrested while engaging in suspicious activity near the cantonment. Intelligence agencies have seized objectionable documents and electronic devices from him, which are now under scrutiny."Alam was loitering suspiciously near the military cantonment. Amid the current India-Pakistan tensions, security forces found his actions highly suspect. Consequently, police, state and central intelligence agencies, along with military intelligence, are now questioning him," said a senior official.The official added, "Suspicion deepened during questioning as the accused kept changing his story. At times he claimed to have crossed into India illegally from Bangladesh 4-5 months ago while at other times he said he arrived just 4-5 days ago."According to sources, Alam told interrogators that he had approached the border in search of work when some boatmen helped him cross the river into India. However, he failed to identify which part of the border he crossed or to explain his whereabouts in the intervening period. He merely said he had walked to Bengdubi in West Bengal.A senior BSF officer saidm "During questioning, Alam mentioned working for the Mainamati intelligence agency of Bangladesh. The
Indian intelligence agencies
will now contact the Bangladeshi embassy following his arrest. Efforts are on to determine the scope of Alam's network and identify any contacts he may have had in India."
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