Shillong: The Border Security Force (BSF), Meghalaya Frontier, has apprehended a total of 150 individuals and seized goods and cattle worth over Rs. 7.9 crore between April 25 and July 25, 2025.
According to the BSF, the arrests include 116 Bangladeshi nationals and 34 Indian nationals, many of whom were involved in illegal infiltration and cross-border smuggling.
Among those nabbed were four touts — two Indian and two Bangladeshi — believed to be facilitating illegal movements across the Indo-Bangladesh border.
During the three-month period, the BSF conducted 33 significant operations, leading to the claimed seizure of goods worth more than Rs. 39 lakh and the arrest of 35 individuals (23 Indians and 12 Bangladeshis).
One of the largest hauls during this period was the seizure of mobile display units valued at over Rs. 31 lakh, marking what officials described as a “new trend in smuggling”.
The force also intensified its anti-smuggling operations, confiscating 622 cattle and various contraband items including Yaba tablets, ganja, liquor, garments, cosmetics, and other goods, all valued at approximately Rs. 7.5 crore.
BSF Meghalaya officials credited strong coordination with the Meghalaya Police for the success of the operations, emphasizing the joint efforts made to curb cross-border crime.
In addition to its security operations, BSF Meghalaya has also been active in humanitarian and community outreach initiatives.
Troops extended emergency medical support in remote border areas, including the evacuation of unconscious patient Berlin Tariang from Umkiang PHC to Silchar for advanced treatment.
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In another incident, seven injured civilians were rescued and transported to hospital following a truck accident near BOP Phanda.
Field-level meetings with Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) have also been sustained to address shared concerns regarding infiltration, smuggling routes, and organised crime.
Preliminary interrogation of the arrested touts and illegal entrants has yielded crucial intelligence, which has been shared with other enforcement agencies for follow-up operations.
