Thirteen Bangladeshi nationals, including three women and seven children, were intercepted in Assam’s Barpeta district while attempting to enter India illegally and were sent back to Bangladesh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister said the state will continue strict surveillance along the border and warned that all illegal entry attempts would be dealt with firmly.

Assam shares a 267.5 km border with Bangladesh, covering Sribhumi, Cachar, Dhubri, and South Salmara-Mankachar districts. Several Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) regulate cross-border movement, including Sutarkandi in Sribhumi, Dawki in Meghalaya, and Akhaura in Tripura, while the Darranga ICP manages movement between Assam and Bhutan.

Authorities clarified that Indian citizens stranded in Bangladesh due to political unrest are being allowed to return through official entry points, while foreign nationals attempting illegal entry are being pushed back.