Security up along Bengal coast amid fears of infiltration

In response to the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Border Security Force (BSF) and intelligence agencies have tightened security along West Bengal's coastal regions, particularly in the vulnerable South and North 24 Parganas district.

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Amid fears that hostile elements may exploit the ongoing cross-border conflict to infiltrate Indian territory via the Bay of Bengal, central and state intelligence agencies have intensified surveillance along the 250-km coastal stretch of the Sundarbans spanning South and North 24 Parganas.

The move follows the recent arrest of 24 illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators — including women and children — from a coastal village in South 24 Parganas, raising red flags over potential human trafficking and cross-border networks.

“The 350-km riverine stretch of the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal has always posed a security challenge, as fencing is not feasible and physical surveillance remains the only option,” a senior BSF officer said, adding that while the force maintains constant vigilance, the risk of infiltration via waterways remains high.