As part of the fight against militancy, the BGB is sharing information with neighbouring countries to make sure no militant activities take place on Bangladeshi soil, the force’s chief has said.
“Our force is always alert to stop any kind of militancy and we are continuously communicating with our neighbouring countries about it,” said Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed, director general of Border Guard Bangladesh.
“Besides, we are also giving priority on sharing information and treating every message we get from our neighbours with importance so that no militant activities take place in our land,” the BGB chief said yesterday while briefing journalists about the force’s progress over the last three years.
Speaking at the BGB Headquarters, he said the paramilitary force has had success against terrorist groups such as the Arakan Army near the Myanmar border.
“We are increasing our force’s strength by establishing an air wing, managing new arms for the force and [creating] a well-trained dog squad,” the chief added.
But he admitted that force had failed to bring the number of border killings to zero.
Border killings can be stopped completely only if Bangladeshi citizens stop crossing the border after sunset, Maj Gen Aziz said.
“We are trying to improve our relationship [with neighbours] by holding different meetings and attending programmes, and we have found its positive effects,” he said.
At least 40 Bangladeshis were killed in cross-border shootings last year, while the number is 33 so far this year.
Although in the past, nearly 700 Bangladeshis used to be sent to jail in India for illegal border crossings, now the BGB can settle such issues with the Indian Border Security Force and bring back the citizens even after midnight, the BGB chief added.
“We are going to hold our next director general-level meetings with the BSF on December 22, where we are going to place border killings, drugs and smuggling issues in the agenda,” he said.
Drives against narcotics has also brought the BGB and BSF closer, Maj Gen Aziz said, adding that the BSF has so far seized and destroyed around 3.4 million phensidyl bottles.
However, the challenge of stopping yaba smuggling has been harder because there are nearly 730 coastline areas to monitor, he said, but added that the BGB is tough against any of its own who are found to be involved with yaba trade.
In these past three years, around 100 BGB officials have been suspended for drug related issues or for having extramarital affairs.
Commenting on relationship with Myanmar, Maj Gen Aziz said the BGB held its first DG-level meeting with Myanmar police last year, while local BGB commanders meet with Myanmar’s local police chiefs every three months.
“We are also planning to organise a joint camp with Myanmar police to improve our relationship,” he added.
