BGB turns back 20 at Chapainawabganj border after BSF ‘push-in attempt’

The group includes 11 men, five women and four children

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has turned back 20 people at the Chapainawabganj border after India's Border Security Force (BSF) reportedly tried to push them across late at night.

The attempt was made through the Chouka border in Shibganj Upazila on Friday, Mahananda Battalion 59 BGB Commanding Officer Lt Col Md Tajul Islam Chowdhury said on Saturday morning.

The group comprised 11 men, five women and four children. A BGB patrol spotted the attempt and blocked their entry into Bangladesh, the border troopers said.

Faced with resistance, the 20 remained in the no-man's land on the Indian side of the border before the BSF took them back across the wire around noon, local Union Parishad member Badshah Ali said.

Their identities, nationalities and how they came to be at the border remain unknown.

Lt Col Tajul said the patrol team's alertness made it possible to foil the push-in attempt.

"We are heading to the border area to find out more details," he added. "Further information will be provided later."