Bangladesh News Border Guard Bangladesh - BGB

To strengthen border security and curb illegal crossings and drug smuggling, a new Border Outpost (BOP) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been established at Borobari border area in Panchagarh’s Haribhanga.

The newly constructed BOP was inaugurated on Saturday afternoon by Brigadier General SM Zahidur Rahman, Commander of the Northwest Region (Rangpur) of BGB. Prior to the inauguration, the commander received a guard of honour, hoisted the national flag, unveiled the name plaque, and planted an orange sapling within the outpost premises while offering prayers for national peace and prosperity.

Panchagarh, which shares a 282 km border with India, has long been a hotspot for cross-border crimes, including drug trafficking and illegal intrusions (push-ins). The district is guarded by three BGB battalions: Nilphamari-56, Thakurgaon-50, and Panchagarh-18. Among these, Borobari and Ghagra border areas are under Nilphamari-56 Battalion. While Ghagra already had a BOP, Borobari remained unguarded despite being a critical location frequently affected by incidents such as BSF firing, drug smuggling, and Indian nationals being pushed into Bangladesh.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sector Commander of Thakurgaon Golam Rabbani, Commander of Nilphamari-56 BGB Battalion Lt. Col. Sheikh Mohammad Badruddoza, and other senior BGB officials and members.

Local resident Jarina Begum expressed relief and optimism, saying, “With this new BGB camp, incidents of illegal crossing, drug trafficking, and push-ins from India are likely to decrease.”

In the inaugural speech, Brigadier General SM Zahidur Rahman emphasized that the BOP will play a vital role in preventing drug and arms smuggling, illegal crossings, and all kinds of border crimes, and he instructed BGB personnel to carry out their duties with professionalism and integrity.

Snipers of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has planned to form two new battalions to protect the remote and vulnerable border areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. 30 new Border Posts (BOPs) will be established under these two battalions. The plan is currently awaiting final approval from the concerned ministry.

Brigadier General Sohel Ahmed, Region Commander of BGB Chittagong South East Region, gave this information to reporters during the official inauguration of the 'Chhota Faringa BOP' set up in the remote border area surrounded by the hills and forests of Karerhat in Mirsarai Upazila of Chittagong under the 43rd BGB Battalion in Ramgarh, Khagrachhari on Sunday (October 5).

He said that the border of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is not as traditional as the border areas of the plain districts of Bangladesh. The border areas there are very remote. For example, there are BOPs in remote areas under the Baghaihat and Marishya battalions in Rangamati, where it takes 4 days to walk. As a result, it becomes difficult to cover all those areas. If two new battalions are established in the remote and unprotected border areas of the hill districts under the South-East Region, it will be possible to ensure the security of the vast remote border areas.

He further said that out of the 73 new BOPs decided by the government for border security, 69 BOPs have already been established at various borders of the country. The work of establishing four more BOPs will be completed very soon. Out of the 10 new BOPs established in the last one year, five were established at the borders under the South-Eastern Region. The establishment of the new BOPs has increased the capacity and efficiency of the BGB in border security, prevention of smuggling and suppression of all border crimes.

Brigadier General Sohel Ahmed said, the nearly five-kilometer border area between Dantmara Union of Fatikchhari and Korerhat Union of Mirsarai under the jurisdiction of Ramgarh 43 Battalion was difficult for BGB to conduct operational activities as it was surrounded by mountains and forests and was inaccessible. With the establishment of the Chhota Faringa BOP, this vast border area, which had been largely unprotected for a long time, has now been secured. The operational activities of BGB will be more dynamic, including the security of the residents of the border area.