Latest news with #NKPandey
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
BSF on high alert: Eastern border with Bangladesh, Nepal ‘stable'
Amid heightened tensions and security alerts in the western regions bordering Pakistan, Border Security Force (BSF) officials in West Bengal have stated that the eastern border shared with Bangladesh and Nepal remains relatively stable. 'Despite the relative calm compared to the western border, the BSF in South Bengal remains vigilant and prepared to address any potential security challenges while actively working to dispel misinformation that could cause unnecessary panic or disruption in the border regions,' said DIG (South Bengal), BSF, N K Pandey. While maintaining a state of alert and round-the-clock monitoring, the BSF in South Bengal is also actively combating the spread of fake news regarding border restrictions. This comes in response to recent rumours circulating about a complete curfew in the border areas. Dismissing these claims, a BSF source said, 'Such rumours have no base; they are totally false. Movement restrictions are there like normal. The main transit points, Gojadanga and Petrapole, are functioning. There is alertness and sensitisation, but there is no extra deployment or mobilisation.' West Bengal shares international borders with three countries: Bangladesh to the east, Nepal to the northwest, and Bhutan to the north. 'It is important to note that West Bengal does not share a direct border with Pakistan. The two countries are geographically separated by a significant distance and several other Indian states,' said another official. DIG Pandey said that the BSF is well-prepared for any situation or to check any infiltration attempts. In the past week alone, the BSF's South Bengal Frontier said it has apprehended at least 15 individuals illegally attempting to cross into India. 'The security challenges for West Bengal are more localised to its eastern and northern borders and involve different dynamics than the India-Pakistan situation,' added an official. The recent escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan has significantly affected the western border of India. This exchange has led to a state of high alert in several Indian states. Meanwhile, security measures have been significantly intensified along West Bengal's coastal belt, particularly in the South 24 Parganas district. The move comes amid fears of possible infiltration attempts or maritime threats along the Bay of Bengal. Coastal surveillance operations have been ramped up, and security agencies have been placed on high alert across key locations along the Bay of Bengal. On Friday morning, police in the South 24 Parganas district reinforced their presence in coastal blocks such as Gangasagar, Namkhana, Patharpratima, Canning, Gosaba, and Basanti. The Sundarban police district also deployed additional speedboats for patrolling estuaries, creeks, and remote riverine zones that are often used by infiltrators or smugglers. Interestingly, officials have noted a higher number of 'exfiltrations' — people wanting to return to Bangladesh — compared to infiltrations. In the last week, approximately 75-80 individuals were recorded returning to Bangladesh. A source within a central agency suggested that this increased exfiltration could be a direct consequence of the recent nationwide crackdown on Bangladeshi immigrants living illegally in various Indian states. This crackdown appears to be prompting some individuals to voluntarily return to their home country. Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
Hans India
04-05-2025
- Hans India
BSF seizes gold valued at Rs 1.56 crore along Indo-B'desh border, one held
The Border Security Force (BSF) said on Sunday that they have seized 12 gold biscuits weighing 1.662 kg from the Nadia district of West Bengal, and arrested an Indian smuggler at Tarali in the North 24-Parganas district with 10.83 kg silver ornaments. N K Pandey, DIG and spokesperson, South Bengal Frontier, BSF, said that the jawans of the 32 Bn BSF, posted at Border Outpost Banpur, received reliable intelligence input regarding an attempt to smuggle gold from Bangladesh through the Banpur village area. 'Acting on this information, a plan was made and an ambush laid near the border fence. The jawans saw three suspected smugglers emerge from a trench near the Indian side of the fence and move towards Bangladesh. While another smuggler was spotted throwing some packets towards them across the fence,' he said. DIG Pandey said that the troops moved in as soon as the smugglers attempted to collect the packets, adding that the smugglers realised the presence of the troops and fled towards the Phulbari (Banpur) village. 'To prevent collateral damage in the densely populated area, the troops did not use their weapons and gave chase. However, the three managed to give the jawans the slip,' he claimed. DIG Pandey said that a search of the area led to the recovery of 12 gold biscuits wrapped in three plastic packets. 'The total weight of the gold was 1,662 grams, and the estimated value is Rs 1,56,06,180,' he said. Meanwhile, he added that troops of 143 Bn BSF, posted at the Border Outpost Tarali, caught an Indian smuggler with 10.83 kg of silver ornaments. 'The man was attempting to smuggle the ornaments across the Nityanandkati check post inside the fuel tank of his motorcycle. The seized gold biscuits and silver ornaments have been handed over to the concerned agency, and a complaint has been lodged with the police against the smugglers,' he said. DIG Pandey praised the jawans and urged border residents to provide any information related to gold and silver smuggling to the BSF's Seema Sathi helpline number 14419 or send a voice or text message through WhatsApp to 9903472227. 'Informants would be sufficiently rewarded and their identities kept confidential,' he said.
India.com
27-04-2025
- India.com
Bengal: Bangladeshi Smuggler Killed, 175 Phensedyl Cough Syrup Bottles Recovered
DIG and Spokesperson, South Bengal Frontier, BSF, N K Pandey, claimed on Sunday that a Bangladeshi smuggler was killed after BSF personnel fired in 'self-defence' along the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) in the North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal, and recovered 175 cough syrup bottles of Phensedyl. He said that around 1 am on Sunday, a jawan of the 59 Bn BSF, posted at the Madhupur Border Outpost, spotted movement close to the border fence, adding that about 20-25 suspected smugglers were approaching the border fence from both sides. 'He could see the men on the Indian side carrying heavy bundles. He immediately challenged them. Instead of abandoning their attempt, the smugglers on the Indian side turned on the BSF jawan,' he said. He added that while one focused the beam of a high-power torch on his eyes, the others - armed with sharp-edged weapons - attempted to surround him. 'The brave jawan fired a round from his Pump Action Gun (PAG) at the group, forcing them to disperse,' said DIG Pandey. He said that the noise alerted a BSF ambush party ahead of the fence, and they rushed to the spot to find smugglers collecting items thrown across the fence. 'When this group of smugglers refused to give up even after a non-lethal shot being fired in the air, a shot was fired in their direction. While one of the smugglers was hit, the others took advantage of the low visibility and dense crops to escape,' he added. DIG Pandey said that a search of the area led to the discovery of the body of the smuggler, 175 bottles of Phensedyl cough syrup, two bottles of foreign liquor, a torch, three sickles and a sharp machete. 'The Bangladeshi smuggler's body, along with the seized items, was handed over to the police, and an FIR lodged regarding the incident,' he said. DIG Pandey commended the efforts of the jawans, saying that they are continuously performing their duties along a difficult border. 'Cases of infiltration and attacks by Bangladeshi smugglers have been regularly raised by BSF with the BGB. Unfortunately, due to inadequate response, the miscreants continue to indulge in criminal activities. The BSF remains committed to taking all necessary measures to protect the nation's borders in the national interest,' said DIG Pandey.
