A three day long joint exercise, the first of its kind, between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF) of India is underway in the Sundarbans border area.
The exercise, titled ‘Sundarban Moitry’ (Sundarbans Alliance) began on Saturday at Koikhali BOP of Neeldumur under the jurisdiction of BGB Battalion 34 and Samshernagar area under BSF Battalion 3.
The exercise was held with the aim of finding better border managerial mechanisms for the two countries, BGB spokesperson Mohammad Mohsin Reza said.
This is the first time such an exercise is taking place between the two border forces. On the second day yesterday, an Indian cargo ship was raided jointly following an invitation from BSF at the junction of Hariyabhanga and Raymongol rivers, called the the forest T-junction area.
Senior officers of both the forces were present at the time and observed the search at the ship, located inside the Indian BOP.
The officers hoped that such exercises would help the forces understand each other properly and maintain a healthy relation at the border. They said these joint activities, especially in the Sundarbans area would contribute to the prevention of cross-border crimes and expand border security activities more effectively.
BGB spokesperson Reza said the exercise aimed at four aspects – to asses the problems at the risky areas of the Sunderbans, increasing patrolling in the area by both parties, raiding suspicious cargo and trawlers on the Bangladesh-India sea transportation route jointly and be aware of the forest camps of the partner country.
The joint exercise will end today.
