March 8, 2025: A Border Security Force (BSF) soldier sustained injuries, and one person was killed after a violent attack by a group of Bangladeshi smugglers near the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Saturday.

The incident occurred in the early hours when a group of 15-20 Bangladeshi smugglers illegally crossed the International Border (IB) after breaching the border fence. They were allegedly attempting to smuggle cattle and contraband into India with the support of miscreants from the Indian side.

During routine patrolling, BSF personnel spotted the group and ordered them to surrender. However, the smugglers turned aggressive, attacking the soldiers with sharp weapons such as sickles and sticks and pelting them with stones. The BSF responded by using stun grenades in an attempt to disperse the attackers, but the smugglers persisted in their assault and even attempted to seize the soldiers' weapons.

Amid the intense clash, one BSF soldier sustained serious injuries. In an act of self-defense, the injured soldier fired from his INSAS rifle, forcing the smugglers to retreat under the cover of darkness.

Following the attack, BSF personnel conducted a search operation and discovered an injured individual at the scene. The person later succumbed to injuries. Officials also recovered two cattle and several sharp weapons used in the attack.

The injured BSF soldier was immediately taken to a hospital, where he received medical attention and is now reported to be in stable condition.

India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km-long border, with approximately 900 km passing through West Bengal. However, nearly 400 km of this border remains unfenced, making it a hotspot for smuggling activities and posing a constant challenge for security forces.

Authorities have intensified surveillance along the border to prevent further such incidents.