Agartala, August 29, 2025: The 69th Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) arrested five Bangladeshi nationals and one Indian youth in the Bhabanipur area of Sepahijala district. The arrests were made with the assistance of local residents and have sparked serious concerns over border security and the growing influence of cross-border trafficking networks.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the Bangladeshi youths had allegedly paid Rs 40,000 each to a trafficking syndicate that promised to deliver Aadhaar cards within just two days enabling them to seek employment in India. The documents handed to them turned out to be forged.

The individuals were intercepted while attempting to cross the border illegally and were later handed over to the Jatrapur police station.

The arrested have been identified as: Bappi Kumar De (31), resident of Bhabanipur; Abdul Matin (26) from Chattogram; Abdul Sattar (18); Nurul Alam (30); Md. Hasan (20); and Mohammad Arman Hossain (19). All Bangladeshi nationals reportedly hail from the same locality.

The incident has triggered a wave of concern among residents and officials alike. Locals are questioning how, despite strict surveillance and fencing, such illegal crossings continue to take place in broad daylight. The active role of trafficking networks operating within Indian territory has also come under scrutiny.