Did Armed Gang from Bangladesh Attack Villagers in Meghalaya?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Armed intrusion reported from Bangladesh into Meghalaya.
- Villagers faced violence during the attack.
- Evidence left behind includes police IDs and other belongings.
- Extensive search operations are underway by local authorities.
- Border security remains a significant concern.
Shillong, Aug 9 (NationPress) In a brazen midnight raid, a group of armed men from Bangladesh reportedly invaded Indian territory, targeting villagers in Meghalaya’s South West Khasi Hills district, officials disclosed on Saturday.
A senior official from the Meghalaya police indicated that on the night of Friday, eight to nine armed nationals from Bangladesh infiltrated Rongdongai village, opening fire on the residents and attacking an Indian villager.
The Indian villager sustained stab wounds after he attempted to detain one of the Bangladeshi attackers. Fortunately, local villagers managed to chase the assailants away, forcing them to retreat.
Before their escape, the attackers left behind several belongings, as per the official’s report. There are suspicions that Bangladeshi police might have been collaborating with the intruders.
Authorities later discovered an ID belonging to a Bangladeshi police constable at the scene, along with various other items. Recovered materials from the bordering areas included handcuffs, weapon magazine covers, a pistol holster, communication radios, mobile phones, face masks, an axe, a wire cutter, some Bangladeshi currency, and additional objects. Rongdongai is a remote village situated approximately 10 km from the border with Bangladesh.
In response, Meghalaya police, in coordination with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, have initiated extensive search operations along the India-Bangladesh border. A BSF representative confirmed the detention of four individuals identified as “miscreants,” with their identities currently under verification.
Notably, vast sections of the 443 km India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya remain unfenced due to various challenges, including tough terrain, water bodies, forests, and mountainous regions.
Authorities suspect that the intruders may have crossed these porous areas by navigating through water bodies or utilizing underground culverts.
In another incident on August 7, early in the morning, eight suspected Bangladeshi nationals were reported to have entered a stone quarry in Bagli, also located in the South West Khasi Hills district.
Upon receiving intelligence, police promptly launched a search operation, but the intruders managed to escape.