A Bangladeshi youth was detained by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) after infiltrating India from Bangladesh through the Hili border in Dinajpur.
The detainee, Al Imran Rocky, 26, was handed over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) four and a half hours later.
The handover took place around 11pm on Sunday at the Zero Line of the check post gate near sub-pillar 11 of main pillar 285 of the Hili border.
A company commander-level meeting was held between BGB and BSF prior to the handover.
BGB's Hili CP Company Commander Subedar Shahadat Hossain represented Bangladesh, while BSF Commander Inspector Subhash Mahato led the Indian side.
Following the meeting, BSF handed over the youth to BGB, with officials from both forces present.
According to locals and witnesses, a group of visitors were gathered near the check post gate at the Hili border on Sunday evening.
Some were there to catch a glimpse of Indian Durga Puja festivities, while others were taking photos near the border.
Suddenly, Rocky ran across the border, slipping past the BGB guards stationed between sub-pillars 9 and 10 of main pillar 285.
Though BGB personnel attempted to apprehend him, they were unable to catch him before he crossed into India, where he was detained by BSF officers.
BSF also recovered some Bangladeshi currency from Rocky.
The detained youth said: "I came to Hili from Rangpur to see the puja. While crossing the railway line, I ran into India to get a closer view. That’s when the BSF members caught me and later handed me over to BGB."
BGB Hili CP Company Commander Subedar Shahadat Hossain confirmed the incident, saying: "In the evening, a young man ran across the border into India. Despite our efforts to catch him, he escaped. We then requested BSF to return him if they apprehended him. Following a meeting between both forces, BSF handed him over to us around 11pm. We will interrogate him at our camp to understand why he illegally crossed the border, after which he will be handed over to Hakimpur police station, and a case for trespassing will be filed."
