The New Nation - Internet Edition

PTI, Shillong, India

With Bangladesh Army launching a drive against anti-national forces ahead of general elections in the country, the BSF has sounded a high alert along the international border to prevent them from sneaking into India.

"As per our inputs, the Bangladesh Army has launched a drive against anti-national forces operating in the country ahead of the December 29 elections. There is possibility that the militants, including those of Indian groups based there, may sneak into India to escape the crackdown," BSF DIG Ravi Gandhi told PTI.

Noting that additional troops from the headquarters have been shifted to the frontier, he said the BSF has intensified patrolling and area domination along the entire border in the northeast, besides launching random operation in some patches based on inputs.

The BSF has identified some specific vulnerable patches like Dawki Borsora, parts of Garo hills, Ratadhera and the riverine border in Assam's Dhubri district, where the force has made heightened security arrangements. Bangladesh has deployed over 40,000 soldiers across the country to maintain law and order, as the Intelligence agencies fear attacks by Islamist militants ahead of the country's general elections.

The troops were being stationed alongside the Bangladesh Rifles, Coastguards, Rapid Action battalion and armed police until December 31.