Tripura Police have alerted the BSF to strengthen border surveillance after an attack on security personnel in Sepahijala left three jawans critically injured. Authorities have arrested 10 of 19 accused and launched an intensive operation to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Tripura Police have alerted the Border Security Force (BSF) to intensify surveillance along the India-Bangladesh international border to prevent nine remaining accused in a violent attack on BSF personnel in Sepahijala district from escaping to neighbouring Bangladesh. The attack, which left three BSF personnel, including an officer, critically injured, has triggered heightened security arrangements and an extensive search operation in the border area.
According to senior police officials, the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the BSF named 19 people allegedly involved in the attack. Police have arrested 10 accused, including three women, while efforts are continuing to apprehend the remaining nine suspects.
A senior Tripura Police official said an intensive search operation was launched immediately after the incident on Monday night and remained underway on Wednesday. Investigators are concerned that the absconding accused could attempt to cross the international border and take shelter in adjoining areas of Bangladesh to avoid arrest.
The police have therefore requested the BSF to maintain close surveillance along vulnerable stretches of the border and prevent any unauthorised cross-border movement.
Inspector General of BSF, Tripura Frontier, Princee Rani, accompanied by Sepahijala District Superintendent of Police Bijoy Debbarma and other senior BSF and police officials, visited the Ashabari area along the international border on Tuesday to review the situation.
During the visit, the BSF Inspector General instructed personnel to follow established border-guarding protocols with heightened vigilance. She also held a meeting with Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha and briefed him about the attack and the security situation.
According to officials, the incident occurred on Monday when BSF personnel noticed suspected Indian and Bangladeshi smugglers allegedly involved in illegal cross-border trading of ganja (marijuana) near the international border.
After noticing the suspected illegal activity, BSF personnel immediately rushed to the location and apprehended an Indian smuggler. However, the Bangladeshi individuals allegedly involved in the operation, who were on the other side of the border fence, managed to escape.
One Indian suspect also reportedly fled from the spot and later allegedly informed villagers that he had been assaulted by BSF personnel.
Following this development, approximately 50 men and women gathered at the location, surrounded the BSF vehicle and allegedly attacked the security personnel. The sudden assault left three BSF personnel, including the Company Commander, grievously injured.
The injured personnel were subsequently shifted to a government hospital for medical treatment. During the attack, the assailants allegedly snatched a Pump Action Gun (PAG) from one of the BSF jawans and damaged a BSF vehicle. One of the attackers also sustained injuries during the incident.
Tension continued in the Ashabari area on Wednesday as security forces maintained a strong presence. The BSF, Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and Tripura Police jointly conducted a foot march as part of an area-domination exercise to strengthen public confidence, maintain law and order and prevent further disturbances.
In an official statement, the BSF reiterated its commitment to protecting the India-Bangladesh international border and preventing cross-border smuggling and other unlawful activities.
The force also appealed to residents of border areas to extend cooperation in maintaining peace, public order and security. It warned that any attempt to intimidate or obstruct BSF personnel while they were performing their lawful duties would be dealt with firmly.
The BSF further stated that incidents of violence and intimidation would not discourage its personnel from carrying out their responsibilities. It also highlighted that despite being attacked, the jawans had exercised restraint and refrained from using lethal force, demonstrating their commitment to protecting human life while continuing their operational duties professionally.
The latest incident has once again highlighted the security challenges faced by border forces in Tripura, particularly in areas vulnerable to organised smuggling networks. There have been several previous attacks on BSF and other law-enforcement personnel in the state while tackling cross-border illegal activities.
On October 16, 2017, Deputy Commandant Deepak Kumar Mandal of the BSF’s 145th Battalion was run over by a vehicle allegedly driven by smugglers at Balerdepha in the smuggling-prone Sonamura subdivision of Sepahijala district. Mandal, who belonged to West Bengal, succumbed to his injuries on October 20, 2017.
In another serious incident, Tripura Police Sub-Inspector Durga Kumar Hrangkhawl was killed while on duty on November 21, 2019. He was allegedly run over deliberately by a vehicle operated by cross-border smuggling networks in the same district.
These incidents underline the risks faced by security personnel involved in preventing organised smuggling and illegal cross-border activities.
| Also Read: MOB TURNS AGAINST THE STATE |
Tripura shares an international border of approximately 856 kilometres with Bangladesh and is surrounded by the neighbouring country on three sides. Its geographical position makes the state particularly sensitive to cross-border migration, illegal trade, smuggling and other transnational criminal activities.
| Also Read: NEP 2020 Implementation in Tripura Govt Colleges Faces Growing Academic Concerns |
Although most sections of the international border have been fenced, certain stretches remain vulnerable to illegal movement and smuggling. Security agencies continue to maintain surveillance to prevent infiltration, trafficking, unlawful trade and the movement of criminal elements.
Meanwhile, the search for the nine remaining accused in the Ashabari attack is continuing, with Tripura Police and the BSF maintaining heightened vigilance to ensure their arrest and prevent any attempt to escape across the international border.
