Why was a Bangladeshi national arrested at an Army base in Bengal?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bangladeshi national arrested for attempting to infiltrate military base.
- Raised concerns over border security and illegal immigration.
- Authorities are investigating the motives behind the infiltration.
- Similar incidents have occurred in the past, highlighting ongoing security challenges.
Kolkata, Nov 6 (NationPress) A Bangladeshi national was apprehended on Thursday while attempting to gain access to the Bengdubi Army Base located in Bagdogra, situated within the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, while masquerading as a local laborer.
The individual, identified as Nanda Mondal, was detained by the Army personnel stationed at the base after they noticed his suspicious behavior. Subsequently, he was transferred to the Bagdogra Police Station.
According to a law enforcement source, the ongoing construction activities at the base attracted local laborers associated with a contractor. During their entry, Mondal attempted to join them under the pretense of being a laborer.
However, his actions raised the suspicion of the Army personnel on duty. Upon his apprehension, they began interrogation. Initially, Mondal tried to evade questions by asserting he was part of the contractor's workforce.
Nonetheless, inconsistencies in his responses heightened the Army's suspicions. Ultimately, under questioning, he disclosed his true identity and admitted to being a Bangladeshi national. Following this revelation, he was handed over to the Bagdogra Police Station.
Authorities are currently interrogating him to uncover the genuine motives behind his attempt to infiltrate the Army base while posing as a local laborer. Mondal has failed to provide any legal documentation necessary for his entry into India, indicating that he likely crossed the border illegally.
He is expected to be presented in a district court on Friday, where the public prosecutor will seek his police custody.
In a related incident earlier this year, in May, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel arrested a suspected Bangladeshi spy, Ashraful Alam, near the Bagdogra Army Cantonment. He was reportedly gathering sensitive intelligence regarding the area.
During his interrogation, Alam claimed to be a former agent of Bangladesh's primary intelligence agency.