150 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants flown from J&K to Bengal for deportation
Synopsis
One hundred and fifty illegal Bangladeshi immigrants evicted from Jammu & Kashmir were airlifted by the Indian Air Force to Bagdogra and handed over to the BSF for deportation — part of an accelerating national enforcement drive that has already seen up to 5,000 deportations through West Bengal in 2026 alone, with more batches expected in the coming days.
Key Takeaways
150 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants evicted from Jammu & Kashmir were airlifted to Bagdogra Airport by an IAF aircraft on 5 October 2026 .
They were handed over to the North Bengal Frontier BSF and are being held at a detention centre pending deportation.
Deportation proceedings are expected to begin around 7 October 2026 ; if Bangladesh refuses to accept them, they will be 'pushed back' across the border.
Roughly 4,800 to 5,000 illegal immigrants have reportedly been deported to Bangladesh through West Bengal in 2026 alone.
Officials say more transfers from J&K are likely in coming days, coinciding with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
A total of 150 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants evicted from Jammu & Kashmir have been brought to West Bengal for deportation, sources confirmed on Monday, 5 October 2026. The group was airlifted from Srinagar to Bagdogra Airport aboard an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, marking one of the larger single-batch transfers in recent months.
How the Transfer Was Carried Out
Upon landing at Bagdogra, the 150 individuals were handed over to officials of the North Bengal Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) for further processing. They are being housed at a detention centre while authorities work through formal deportation channels.
The deportation process is expected to begin around 7 October 2026. According to an official, the procedure unfolds in phases along different stretches of the border. 'The illegal immigrants are taken beyond the border fence and moved close to the zero line. They then cross into Bangladesh on their own,' the official said.
What Happens If Bangladesh Refuses
Officials confirmed that if Bangladesh declines to accept the deportees — a scenario that has occurred previously — the immigrants will be 'pushed back' across the border. In past cases, Bangladeshi authorities have both accepted and denied responsibility for their citizens, depending on circumstances. The outcome for the current batch remains uncertain until formal communication is exchanged between the two countries.
Scale of Deportations in 2026
The latest transfer is part of a broader, intensifying enforcement drive. In 2026 alone, reportedly around 4,800 to 5,000 illegal immigrants have been deported to Bangladesh through West Bengal. Historical data tabled in Parliament by the Ministry of External Affairs recorded 23,653 deportations between 2009 and 2011. The Ministry of Home Affairs separately stated that 28,131 illegal immigrants had been deported up to 2014.
West Bengal serves as the primary corridor for such deportations nationally. Illegal Bangladeshi immigrants apprehended across states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have historically been routed through the state for cross-border handover.
More Transfers Expected from J&K
Officials indicated there is a possibility that additional illegal immigrants may be shifted from Jammu & Kashmir in the coming days, which could result in further batches being brought to West Bengal. This comes amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in several states, which officials believe could trigger a fresh wave of deportations in the months ahead. Notably, this is the latest in a series of coordinated inter-state deportation drives that have accelerated through 2026.
Point of View
Meaning every deportation depends on Dhaka's day-to-day cooperation. The 'push-back' mechanism — where individuals are walked to the zero line and left to cross on their own — sits in a legal grey zone that has drawn quiet scrutiny from rights groups. With the SIR of electoral rolls running in parallel, the political backdrop to this enforcement surge deserves the same scrutiny as the operational logistics.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were illegal Bangladeshi immigrants transferred from Jammu & Kashmir to West Bengal?
West Bengal shares a long international border with Bangladesh and serves as the primary deportation corridor for illegal Bangladeshi immigrants caught anywhere in India. The 150 individuals evicted from Jammu & Kashmir were airlifted to Bagdogra so the BSF 's North Bengal Frontier could process and facilitate their return across the border.
When will the deportation from West Bengal take place?
The deportation process is expected to begin around 7 October 2026 . Officials described a phased procedure in which immigrants are moved beyond the border fence and then cross into Bangladesh on their own near the zero line.
What happens if Bangladesh refuses to accept the deported immigrants?
If Bangladeshi authorities decline to accept the deportees, officials have stated the immigrants will be 'pushed back' across the border — a method where individuals are escorted to the zero line and cross into Bangladesh independently. Bangladesh has in the past both accepted and denied responsibility for such individuals.
How many illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been deported through West Bengal in 2026?
Reportedly around 4,800 to 5,000 illegal immigrants have been deported to Bangladesh through West Bengal in 2026 alone, according to officials. Historically, Parliament data shows 23,653 deportations between 2009 and 2011 , while the Ministry of Home Affairs recorded 28,131 deportations up to 2014 .
Are more deportations expected from Jammu & Kashmir?
Yes. Officials indicated that additional illegal Bangladeshi immigrants may be shifted from Jammu & Kashmir in the coming days, potentially leading to further batches being routed through West Bengal. The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is expected to drive more deportations in the months ahead.
