United News of Bangladesh

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have detained a suspected smuggler along with four gold bars – weighing 452 grams – from the Darshana border area in Chuadanga district. The arrest was made on Saturday evening in the Baradi border’s Panch Kabar area, said BGB sources. The detainee, identified as Samar Halder, 27, is a resident of Parkrishnapur village under Darshana Police Station. Chuadanga father held over kidnapping own son for ransom

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained two individuals and recovered firearms and ammunition during a special operation in Naikhongchari upazila of Bandarban on Saturday. According to BGB sources, acting on intelligence provided by DGFI, a patrol team from Naikhongchari Battalion (11 BGB) conducted the operation in the Baganghona area of Sadar Union in the evening. During the drive, law enforcers detained Md Faruk, 21, a Rohingya youth from Camp-13, and seized one 9mm TT pistol (made in Yugoslavia), another pistol of unidentified type, and 42 rounds of live ammunition, BGB said in a media statement. Over 10.59 lakh Yaba seized in Cox’s Bazar, largest single-day haul in BGB history Based on information obtained from Faruk, another suspect, Md Nurul Alam, 30, was later detained from the Chakdala Bazar area of the upazila. During initial interrogation, the detainees reportedly confessed that they were planning to hand over the arms to another party at a local hotel named Cafe-13 for Tk 20,000, following instructions from an individual named as Ayatullah. They are currently in BGB custody, and legal proceedings are underway. Naikhongchari Battalion Commander Lt Col Md Faizul Kabir said BGB has intensified patrols and intelligence activities to maintain law and order and prevent illegal arms smuggling in border areas, adding that such operations will continue.

On the occasion of the Independence and National Day, a Guard of Honor was presented at the grave of Bir Sreshtho Noor Mohammad Sheikh in Sharsha, Jashore. On Thursday at 11:00 am, Sohel Al Mujahid, Quartermaster (Assistant Director) of Jessore 49 BGB Battalion, representing the Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), gave the Guard of Honor at the grave in Kashipur. Earlier at 8:00 am, the Upazila administration paid tribute at the site. Veterans of the Liberation War, political leaders, journalists, and heads of educational institutions also offered their respects. BGB on high alert at borders to prevent fuel smuggling amid Iraq-Iran war impact

Tension and political excitement are running high in haor-dominated Sunamganj district ahead of the national election. To ensure smooth voting in the district’s five constituencies, the administration and the Returning Officer’s office have taken extensive security measures. According to the district election office, Sunamganj has a total of 664 polling centers and 4,250 polling booths, of which 451 centers have been classified as high-risk. For the first time, all polling centers in the district will be monitored through CCTV cameras while police personnel will be equipped with body cameras. A combined force of around 18,300 members from the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Ansar has been deployed in the district. This includes 3,500 police, 12,000 Ansar, and 1,100 army personnel, with 24 BGB platoons assigned to the district’s 12 upazilas to ensure border and internal security. Read More: 21 BGB platoons to secure Bandarban during national election The election in Sunamganj is witnessing a multi-party contest alongside strong independent candidates. Particular attention is on Sunamganj-4 where expelled BNP leader Dewan Zainul Zakerin is running independently and Sunamganj-3, where some religious leaders have significant influence. Voters are also showing keen interest in casting ballots for both the parliamentary election and the referendum, scheduled on the same day. Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Dr Mohammad Ilias Mia said, “We are committed to conducting a free and fair election. Maximum security measures have been ensured so that voters can exercise their right to vote without fear.” Superintendent of Police ABM Zakir Hossain added that intelligence monitoring has been intensified and mobile patrol teams will remain active to prevent any disturbances in the election areas.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will deploy 38 platoons across 14 parliamentary constituencies under Dhaka Battalion (5 BGB) to maintain law and order, safeguard voters’ rights and ensure a peaceful environment during the upcoming national election. According to BGB headquarters sources, 11 platoons will be stationed in five constituencies of Dhaka North City Corporation, six in two constituencies of Savar and Dhamrai upazilas, 13 in four constituencies of Faridpur district, and eight in three constituencies of Manikganj district. Specialised K-9 units will also be deployed for search operations. The paratroopers will operate from 12 base camps, said Lieutenant Colonel Taimur Hasan Khan, Commanding Officer of Dhaka Battalion (5 BGB). He urged political leaders, activists, voters, and media personnel to cooperate with the force, stressing that the BGB is fully committed to political neutrality and ensuring a level playing field for all parties and candidates. “The primary objective is to create an environment that maximises voter participation, protects voting rights, prevents vote rigging, and maintains overall election security,” he added. BGB will support a neutral, festive and safe election atmosphere while assisting with polling and post-election activities. During the election period, the force will conduct law and order duties independently or jointly as mobile and striking units, coordinating with other law enforcement agencies and maintaining regular patrols. Rapid Action Teams, helicopters, and Quick Response Forces will remain on standby to respond promptly to any emergency. BGB personnel will use body-worn cameras, night vision devices, metal detectors, APCs, and other modern signalling equipment. Govt orders deposition of licensed firearms by Jan 31 ahead of election A dedicated monitoring cell at battalion headquarters will track election developments around the clock. On polling day, mobile and static patrols, check-posts, and vehicle and suspect searches will be conducted to prevent sabotage or instability. BGB expressed confidence that, through combined efforts with the government, Election Commission, law enforcement agencies, and the public, the 13th parliamentary election will be conducted in a peaceful, fair and festive manner, with public trust and safety as the top priority.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained a man on Friday while he was attempting to smuggle US $51,000 into India through the Mujibnagar border in Meherpur. Acting on a tip-off, Lt. Col. Md. Nazmul Hasan, commander of the BGB’s Chuadanga Battalion (6 BGB), deployed a team led by Acting Quartermaster Assistant Director Md. Haider Ali. The team set up an ambush at Fashitala, approximately 200 yards inside Bangladesh from Main Pillar 99 of the border, under the jurisdiction of Anandabas BOP in Mujibnagar upazila. Around 12 noon, the BGB team noticed a suspicious individual riding a bicycle from the zero line area, carrying a bag filled with grass. Upon sensing the presence of BGB members, the man attempted to flee but was quickly caught. BGB destroys seized drugs worth Tk 1,322 crore in Cox’s Bazar Upon searching the bag, the patrol team recovered five packets wrapped in black scotch tape, which—according to the detainee’s confession—contained foreign currency. A total of $51,000 USD was recovered from the packets. Additionally, the team seized one bicycle and a mobile phone. The total estimated value of the seized foreign currency and goods is Tk 62,01,540. Naib Subedar Md. Harun Or Rashid filed a case with Mujibnagar Police Station as the complainant. The detainee was later handed over to the station, while the recovered US dollars were deposited with the Meherpur Treasury Office.

A gunfight took place between members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and hill-based group United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) in Matiranga upazila of Khagrachhari district on Monday. Armed miscreants of UPDF opened fire on a BGB patrol team in the deep forest of Tongpara under Taindong Union in Matiranga upazila, prompting the border guards to fire back, said Lt Col Khalid Ibne Hossain, Commanding Officer of 23 BGB in Jamunipara, Matiranga. After exchanging several rounds of bullets, the miscreants fled the scene, leaving behind their arms and ammunition, Khalid said. 4 held after case finally filed over indigenous teen’s gang-rape in Khagrachhari He said drives to arrest the armed group members will continue. BGB personnel recovered some arms and ammunition from the scene, including two rifles, one pistol, one shotgun, and 16 rounds of bullet and other equipment. No casualties were immediately reported.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) pushed 13 Bangladeshis into the country through the Motua border in Chhagalnaiya upazila of Feni in the early hours of Friday without following due process, according to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). A patrol team of BGB’s Chhagalnaiya Border Outpost (BOP) under Battalion-4 found the group [four men, three women, and six children] inside an abandoned house near the Motua area around 9am and detained them, BGB said.  BSF 'push-ins' continue: 14 more sent through Matiranga border The detained individuals were identified as Md Altaf, 39, his wife Momina Begum, 32; Md Aminul Islam, 38, his wife Urmi Begum, 29; Mominul Haque, 35, his wife Shefali Begum, 30; and Ishraq Hossain, 40. The remaining six are children. Quoting the detainees, BGB said they were brought to the border with their hands and eyes tied. Taking advantage of bad weather, the BSF untied them and forced them across the border into Bangladesh. Lt Col Md Mosharraf Hossain, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-4 in Feni, said the BGB company commander lodged a verbal protest with his BSF counterpart over the incident. BGB said the 13 individuals were handed over to Chhagalnaiya Police Station. The local administration will take further action regarding them. Chhagalnaiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nazrul Islam said the detainees are currently being sheltered at a room in Motua Government Primary School and are receiving food and necessary assistance. “A formal protest note will be sent over the incident,” said Lt Col Mosharraf. BSF pushes 19 people into Bangladesh: BGB Since May 7, the BSF has illegally pushed almost a thousand individuals into Bangladesh - not all of them Bangladeshis -through various points of the border.

The government is set to procure sound grenades and teargas shells for the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), said Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (ret) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. "The BGB has always been equipped with deadly weapons, but they have not had non-lethal alternatives like sound grenades or tear gas. On January 18, there were tensions along the Chapainawabganj border, where Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) reportedly used teargas and sound grenades. But the BGB did not have these options at their disposal," he said following a meeting at his ministry on Monday. Over 33,000 foreigners illegally staying in Bangladesh: Home Adviser In the past, the Adviser said, the BGB had been equipped solely with lethal weapons, which had led to questions about why the force did not use sound grenades or tear gas during border confrontations. In light of these developments, Jahangir Alam said, the government had now authorised the purchase of non-lethal crowd control equipment for the BGB. "We have given permission to procure these items. The BGB already has access to deadly weapons, but they did not have items like sound grenades or tear gas, which will now be acquired for their use," he added. In comparison, the BSF currently possesses such equipment, giving them an advantage in handling border situations that require non-lethal means of crowd control, he said. Despite these issues, the Adviser said, the border situation remains stable, with no major problems reported at present. Meeting underway to finalise new uniform designs for police, RAB, Ansar Turning to the issue of foreign nationals residing illegally in Bangladesh, the Adviser provided updates on a previous circular regarding the matter. "Previously, we reported that 49,226 foreign nationals were residing illegally in Bangladesh after their visas had expired. However, this number has now been reduceda to 33,648. The deadline for these individuals to leave the country is set for January 31," he said.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has returned the body of a businessman who was killed along the Dhobaura border in Mymensingh on October 24. Lt Col ASM Kamruzzaman, commander of 31 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) battalion, confirmed the matter on Saturday. The deceased, Rezaul Karim, was a medicine trader from Sherpur. He died while attempting to cross the border at the Dhobaura frontier on October 24. Bachchu, officer-in-charge of Durgapur Police Station, received the body in the presence of BGB members at the Bagmara Land Checkpoint in Netrokona District on Saturday afternoon. An initial examination revealed no signs of gunshot wounds on the body, according to the BGB official. Rezaul hailed from Alinapara village in Sherpur Sadar upazila. He owned a pharmacy on Hospital Road in the Narayanpur area of Sherpur. BGB thwarts BSF's attempt to erect barbed wire fence along Joypurhat border On the evening of October 24, Rezaul was reportedly killed near pillar 1139/9 in the Indian Territory, close to the BGB camp in the Munshipara area of South Maizpara Union in Mymensingh’s Dhobaura upazila. Following the incident, the BSF took his body to the Dhamdam camp. Local residents heard gunfire from the BSF shortly after Rezaul entered India to procure medicines at a lower cost, leading them to believe that he was shot by the BSF. However, on Saturday morning, the BSF informed the 31 BGB battalion in Netrokona that seven individuals encountered challenges from the BSF while trying to cross into India. Six managed to escape, but Rezaul fell off a culvert, suffered a head injury, and became unconscious, subsequently drowning in the water. BSF personnel rescued him and took him to a local primary treatment centre, where he was declared dead. OC Bachchu noted that a case is underway to be filed at the police station.