Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata

Kolkata, Feb 19: The Border Security Force (BSF) successfully intercepted a gold smuggling attempt along the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Nadia district, arresting a smuggler and seizing 1.74 kg of gold, an official confirmed on Wednesday.

The smuggler, a resident of Phulbari village near the Banpur Border Outpost, was caught in a well-coordinated operation by the 32 Battalion BSF. Acting on intelligence inputs, BSF personnel set up an ambush near the border fence on Tuesday. They soon spotted a suspect approaching the fence from Phulbari and picking up two packets thrown from the Bangladeshi side. As the suspect attempted to flee, BSF troops quickly surrounded him and ordered him to surrender. When he refused, a warning shot was fired from a non-lethal Pump Action Gun (PAG), prompting him to surrender.

A search of the recovered packets revealed four gold bars, five gold biscuits, and a small gold piece, collectively weighing 1.74 kg and valued at approximately ?1.49 crore. The smuggler, along with the seized gold, was handed over to the authorities for further investigation.

This is the second major smuggling bust by the South Bengal Frontier BSF this year. On February 14, BSF personnel at Bithari Border Outpost in North 24 Parganas apprehended a smuggler carrying 25 gold biscuits worth ?2.96 crore. Officials believe that the wedding season has led to a spike in gold smuggling attempts from across the border.

BSF officials reiterated their zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and cross-border crimes, emphasizing their continued efforts to strengthen security along the Indo-Bangladesh border. The force remains committed to preventing illegal activities and ensuring national security through rigorous enforcement measures.