A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan stationed at the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Malda district was briefly held captive by villagers in Bangladesh after reportedly crossing the border inadvertently during a night patrol. The jawan, identified as Constable Shri Ganesh of BSF Battalion No. 71, was released after a prompt flag meeting between Indian and Bangladeshi border forces.
The incident came to light when a video surfaced online early Wednesday morning showing Constable Ganesh tied to a banana tree in a village in Chapai Nawabganj district of Bangladesh. In the video, angry locals are seen surrounding the jawan and threatening him with dire consequences, accusing him of trespassing. According to reports, Ganesh had unintentionally crossed into Bangladeshi territory near the Noorpur border outpost while on night patrol duty.
Sources said the villagers forcibly dragged him deeper into their territory before eventually handing him over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The BSF acted swiftly by initiating communication with their counterparts and organizing a flag meeting to resolve the situation diplomatically.
“Following the flag meeting between the BSF and BGB, the jawan was safely returned. We are conducting an internal inquiry into the circumstances of his accidental crossing,” a senior BSF official confirmed.
The incident has triggered sharp reactions on social media, with many questioning the safety protocols in place for border patrols and expressing concern over the treatment meted out to the Indian jawan.
The BSF has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the international border while avoiding any escalation with neighboring forces. The South Bengal Frontier remains on heightened alert, and both countries are expected to review joint protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
