Bangladesh Ex-Cop Arrested by BSF in West Bengal

Bangladeshi police officer while he attempted to illegally cross into India through West Bengal. The arrest was made on August 23 near Hakimpur in the North 24 Parganas district, a stretch along the India-Bangladesh border known for frequent infiltration attempts.

The detained individual has been identified as Mohammad Arifuzzaman, 47, a former Assistant ComKolkata, August 25, 2025,  The Border Security Force (BSF) has arrested a suspended missioner of Police in Bangladesh’s Armed Police Battalion-2, based in Muktagacha, Mymensingh. According to reports, he went into hiding after a political shift in Bangladesh in August 2024. Following his absence from duty since October 14, 2024, the Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs officially suspended him in August 2025.

BSF officials said Arifuzzaman was detained between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on August 23 while attempting to enter India under the cover of heavy monsoon rain. Several documents were recovered from him during the arrest, including his official service identification card.

After his capture, BSF personnel handed Arifuzzaman over to the Swarupnagar police. He was produced before the Basirhat court the following day and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. Authorities confirmed that both the Indian and Bangladeshi high commissions were informed of the arrest as required under protocol.

BSF sources said the case is under investigation, with verification being carried out through the relevant security and diplomatic channels.

Officials noted that the incident underscores long-standing security concerns along the India-Bangladesh frontier, one of the busiest and most sensitive international borders. The North 24 Parganas region, in particular, has been vulnerable due to dense population and porous fencing in several stretches.

In recent months, BSF units deployed in West Bengal have reported detaining hundreds of individuals attempting illegal entry. The forces have also intercepted large-scale cross-border activities, including cattle smuggling, highlighting the constant pressure on security agencies to maintain vigilance.

The arrest of a former Bangladeshi police officer is expected to draw close attention in Dhaka and New Delhi. Diplomatic channels between the two countries have already been engaged to determine the next steps.

The development comes as India continues to step up border security operations, aiming to curb infiltration while maintaining cooperation with neighboring countries on sensitive security issues.