BGB says discussions with BSF to prevent terrorism at Delhi conference were ‘fruitful’

Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, has said it held a “fruitful” border conference with India's Border Security Force, or BSF, where both sides discussed armed regional terrorist groups.

The four-day director general-level conference began on Monday in India’s New Delhi.

According to a press release issued by the BGB on Friday night, the 55th border conference featured delegations from both sides, each consisting of 13 members.

The BGB delegation was led by its Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, while the BSF delegation was headed by Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary.

At the conference, the BGB director general expressed deep concern over the killing of Bangladeshi citizens on the border.

He also urged the BSF director general to eliminate border killings.

"The joint inspection team's review and discussion of the construction of permanent structures or barbed wire fences within 150 yards of the border was emphasised,” the BGB media statement added.

Highlighting the construction of barbed-wire fences along the zero line of the Angarpota-Dahagram border, the BGB chief urged his BSF counterpart to take measures to prevent a repeat.

The conference emphasised the need to prevent the smuggling of drugs, arms, gold, and other goods, curb infiltration, and combat border crimes, including terrorist activities.

"The BGB director general stressed the effective implementation of the Integrated Border Management Plan to ensure peace, order and security at the border."

The BSF chief reaffirmed their commitment to the “non-lethal” policy to prevent border killings, prioritising human life and human rights, according to the release.

He also stressed the importance of continued cooperation to prevent activities that could harm border peace, including drug trafficking and smuggling.

The statement said information would be exchanged to benefit both border forces.

Both sides agreed to take appropriate actions after proper investigations if any killings occurred along the border.

The statement also noted “fruitful” discussions on establishing a suitable water treatment plant to remove wastewater from four border canals flowing from Agartala to Akhaura, as well as opening the mouth of the Rahimpur canal into the Kushiyara River in Zakiganj.

Both sides also expressed appreciation for their cooperation in implementing initiatives aimed at increasing trust under the Integrated Border Management Plan.