The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday evening apprehended a serving officer of the Bangladesh Police while he was attempting to illegally enter Indian territory in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, senior government officials confirmed.
The officer, whose identity has been withheld due to the ongoing investigation, was intercepted near the Hakimpur Border Outpost between 6 pm and 7 pm during routine patrolling. According to officials, BSF personnel recovered identity documents from him, verifying his status as a senior Bangladeshi Police officer.
He was immediately detained and handed over to the West Bengal Police for further questioning. Officials noted that this is one of the rarest instances of a Bangladeshi Police officer being caught attempting to infiltrate Indian soil.
The India-Bangladesh border, stretching over 4,096 km, is the fifth-longest international boundary in the world and has often witnessed cases of smuggling, infiltration, and illegal crossings. Of this, nearly 2,217 km runs through West Bengal, making it a particularly sensitive zone for Indian security forces.
North 24 Parganas remains among the most vulnerable stretches due to its riverine terrain, dense population, and proximity to urban centres. Officials say such areas are frequently exploited by smugglers, touts, and organised networks for cross-border activities.
The BSF has been working to strengthen security along the border through advanced surveillance systems, fencing projects, and coordinated patrols. However, the arrest of a serving Bangladeshi police officer has raised concerns over possible motives and cross-border dynamics.
“Such incidents highlight the critical need for constant vigilance and tighter coordination with state police and intelligence agencies,” a senior official said. Investigations are currently underway to determine whether the officer was acting independently or on behalf of a larger network.
