New Delhi (India), March 12 : A total of 2,601 Bangladeshi citizens were apprehended at the India-Bangladesh border for attempting to illegally enter India between January 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Nityanand Rai provided this information in a written reply. According to the data shared by the MoS, the Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended 176 Bangladeshi intruders in January 2025 alone. The BSF, tasked with guarding the India-Bangladesh border, continues to play a crucial role in preventing illegal border crossings and other unauthorized activities.
The statistics show fluctuations in the number of illegal border crossings throughout 2024. December recorded 253 apprehensions, while November saw 310, and October registered 331. Other months like September, August, July, and June showed varying figures, with 300, 214, 267, and 247 apprehensions, respectively. However, May 2024 had the lowest number of apprehensions, with just 32 incidents. The data for earlier months in 2024 is as follows: 91 in April, 118 in March, 124 in February, and 138 in January.
In his statement, the MoS emphasized the government’s efforts to enhance the security of the Indo-Bangladesh border through advanced technology, increased manpower, and improved surveillance systems. Key measures include the deployment of Hand-Held Thermal Imagers (HHTIs), Night Vision Devices (NVD), UAVs, CCTV/PTZ cameras, IR sensors, and the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) pilot in Dhubri, Assam.
The government has also implemented operational strategies like continuous patrolling, checkpoints (nakas), and observation posts along the border. Joint operations with local police and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have further reinforced security. Other measures include the installation of floodlights and solar lights in border areas, as well as securing riverine areas with boats and floating Border Out Posts (BOPs).
To strengthen security measures, the BSF has improved intelligence networks, focused on tracking touts, and upgraded border fencing with additional barriers in sensitive zones. The Ministry of Home Affairs also noted that community engagement activities, such as local meetings and the deployment of dog squads, further support these efforts. Additionally, 15 BSF-led Anti-Human Trafficking Units have been established to combat human trafficking in the region.
The MoS also highlighted the significance of cross-border cooperation between India and Bangladesh. The BSF regularly engages with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in line with the Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines of 1975. Additionally, the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP), signed in 2011 between the BSF and the BGB, facilitates regular meetings between their respective Nodal Officers to ensure effective border management.
These ongoing efforts underline the government’s commitment to ensuring border security and preventing illegal cross-border activities, including human trafficking and illegal migration.