Unakoti, Tripura: In a daring incident near the India-Bangladesh border on Tuesday, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel thwarted an attack by a group of 15-20 cross-border smugglers in the Unakoti district of northern Tripura. The smugglers, armed with sharp weapons, attempted to snatch weapons from the on-duty BSF jawans but were repelled by the alert personnel, officials reported.

The incident occurred near Magroli gram panchayat, where BSF jawans intercepted the smugglers attempting to smuggle contraband items across the international border. When ordered to halt, the smugglers responded aggressively, using abusive language, wielding sharp weapons, and trying to overpower the security forces.

In a notable turn of events, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel stationed across the border stepped in to assist the BSF. The BGB troops approached the border fence and coordinated with the Indian forces to collectively disperse the smugglers.

“Despite the smugglers’ aggressive attempts, the coordinated efforts of BSF and BGB personnel ensured that the situation was brought under control without escalating further,” said a BSF spokesperson. “Both sides exercised significant restraint, avoiding the use of firearms despite the provocation.”

Additional BSF reinforcements were deployed to the scene, prompting the smugglers to retreat into Bangladeshi territory.

Tripura, which shares an 856-km-long border with Bangladesh, faces persistent challenges related to infiltration, smuggling, and trans-border crimes. While most of the border is secured, certain stretches remain unfenced due to disputes over land and demarcation, complicating security operations.

Since the recent unrest in Bangladesh, the BSF has heightened its vigilance along the international border, conducting intensified patrols and operations to curb illegal activities. Officials praised the cooperation between BSF and BGB, emphasizing the importance of such cross-border collaboration in maintaining peace and security in the region.