New Delhi

A Border Security Force (BSF) constable, who inadvertently crossed into Bangladesh while chasing cattle smugglers along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district, was safely returned to India by Sunday afternoon, officials said on Monday.

The constable, identified as Ved Prakash of the BSF’s 174th Battalion, crossed the international boundary early Sunday during a routine patrol and operational drill aimed at foiling a cattle smuggling attempt.

Senior BSF officials said the incident occurred amid dense fog, which significantly reduced visibility in the border area during the early morning hours. The constable reportedly got separated from his team while pursuing suspected smugglers and unintentionally strayed into Bangladeshi territory.

“Due to heavy fog, the constable inadvertently crossed the border. Forces from both sides immediately established contact, and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) handed him over to the BSF by Sunday afternoon,” an official told ANI.

Dismissing speculation of abduction, BSF officials clarified that the constable was not kidnapped. They said local residents apprehended him shortly after he crossed over and subsequently handed him to the BGB, which coordinated with the BSF for his safe return.

Following the incident, the BSF has intensified vigilance along the India–Bangladesh border in the Cooch Behar sector. Additional precautionary measures, including enhanced surveillance, coordinated patrols and increased deployment in vulnerable stretches, have been put in place to curb trans-border crimes.

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Cattle smuggling remains a persistent challenge along the India–Bangladesh border, particularly during winter when smugglers exploit poor visibility caused by dense fog. The BSF, tasked with guarding the 4,096-km-long border, routinely steps up operations during this period to prevent smuggling and illegal cross-border movement.