Malda’s unfenced Bangladesh border on high alert after Kashmir terror attack, infiltration fears rise

In the aftermath of the recent terrorist attack in Kashmir, security has been intensified along India’s international borders, including the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Malda district. The Border Security Force has increased troop deployment and placed all border posts on high alert. The move includes not just the western border with Pakistan, but also the eastern border with Bangladesh, owing to intelligence concerns and the region’s history of cross-border violations.

Malda shares a 172-kilometre-long border with Bangladesh, of which 32 kilometres is riverine. A critical 18-kilometre stretch remains unfenced and lacks barbed wire, making it an area of concern for security agencies. This section has seen repeated instances of illegal infiltration and cattle smuggling through water routes. Residents have reported past incidents of unauthorized movements and continue to express concern about the absence of physical barriers along this vulnerable corridor.

Officials have observed a rise in anti-India and pro-Pakistan sentiments in present-day Bangladesh. These developments, combined with the porous nature of certain border sections, have prompted an intensified response. In Malda, locals have expressed fear that militant groups may exploit the unsecured stretch to enter Indian territory. While no specific incident has been cited in the current alert, the increased military presence and surveillance are aimed at pre-empting any potential security breach.