BGB, BSF hold day-long joint border patrol

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Indian Border Force (BSF) yesterday held a joint patrol on their respective side along Putkhali border of Benapole, Jessore to curb trans-border crimes like human trafficking and smuggling, reports our Benapole correspondent.
Sheikh Fayek Uddin, Putkhali camp commander of 23 BGB Battalion, said the daylong joint patrol by the border forces started from near 118 RB pillar of Putkhali Paschimpara following exchange of sweets.
A seven-member BGB team, led by Sheikh Fayek, and another similar team, headed by sub-inspector Ganesh Prashad, commander of Aungrail BSF camp, took part in the joint patrol.
Another day-long joint patrol will take place along the same border on Thursday, said BGB sources.
The decision to hold joint border patrol followed several meetings of officials of the foreign and home ministries of the two countries.
The move was taken apparently to restore peace along the borders and maintain friendly relations between the two countries, said Sheikh Fayek.

YOUTH DETAINED
In Thakurgaon, Indian BSF on Tuesday morning detained a Bangladeshi youth on Mondumala border in Baliadangi upazila.
The youth, Md. Asraful Islam, 27, is son of late Harun Mia of Tarinzi village under the upazila, reports our correspondent.
Operation Officer of 30, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion Maj Kazi Alamgir said, BSF personnel at Belgachi camp caught Asraful on Mondumala border at about 8:00am while he was allegedly entering India illegally.
A Company Commander-level flag meeting between the two forces was held around 11:30am after the BGB sent a letter to the BSF to return Asraful.
However, BSF said that Asraful was handed over to Islampur police station in Uttar Dinajpur of Paschimbanga on charge of illegal intrusion.