Border tensions resurfaced along the Bangladesh-India frontier on Friday night after the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) blocked an alleged attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 20 people into Bangladesh through the Chowka border in Chapainawabganj.
The group, comprising 11 women, four children and five men, remains stranded near the zero line on the Indian side after BGB personnel refused to allow them to cross the border.
The latest incident comes amid continuing friction between the two border forces over alleged push-ins and deportations, an issue that recently dominated high-level discussions between BGB and BSF officials but remained unresolved.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-59, said alert border patrols detected the move and immediately intervened.
“Due to the vigilance and prompt action of the BGB patrol team, we were able to prevent the attempt to push in 20 people. They are currently staying at the zero line,” he said.
According to BGB and local sources, the BSF attempted to move the group across the border through the Chowka frontier in Shibganj upazila late Friday night.
After BGB personnel took up positions and resisted the move, the individuals were prevented from entering Bangladeshi territory.
With neither side accepting them, the group remained stranded near the border on the Indian side.
The incident is the latest in a series of alleged push-in attempts along the frontier, a growing source of tension between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Bangladesh has repeatedly maintained that any repatriation of individuals claiming Bangladeshi citizenship must follow established verification procedures and bilateral protocols, while opposing unilateral attempts to send people across the border without prior confirmation of nationality.
Border authorities remained on alert on Saturday as the situation continued at the zero line.