Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has recovered a large quantity of high-powered explosives and illegal firearms during a special overnight operation at the Borolekha border in Moulvibazar.
The operation was carried out late Monday night in the Taradorm area of South Shahbazpur Union, where the items were found abandoned, officials of BGB-52 Battalion said.
According to BGB sources, patrol teams noticed suspicious movements near the border during the operation.
Sensing the presence of BGB personnel, the miscreants fled into the darkness, leaving behind the explosives and weapons. Subsequent searches led to the recovery of the cache.
The seized items include 24 sticks of high-powered Powergel-90 explosives manufactured by SBL Energy Limited of Nagpur, India, 23 detonators, around 15 metres of detonating cord, and three improvised pipe guns.
Security experts said that even a single detonator explosion could cause massive destruction from deep underground, capable of bringing down large structures within moments.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosives and arms were being stockpiled with the intention of carrying out acts of sabotage targeting polling centres ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum.
Following the seizure, a press briefing was held on Monday (February 2) afternoon at the election base camp set up at Chotolekha High School in Borolekha. The briefing was addressed by BGB-52 Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Md Ataur Rahman Sujan. BGB Headquarters Major Maruf and Assistant Director of BGB-52 Battalion Mahfuzur Rahman were also present.
Lt Col Ataur Rahman said BGB received intelligence around 12:10am that a group of miscreants had entered Bangladesh carrying explosives and weapons through the New Pallathal BOP area near border pillar 1375/M. Acting on the information, he led a special patrol team, while another team led by Major M Jahid from the Borolekha election base camp conducted a joint operation.
Although the suspects managed to escape, the explosives and arms were recovered from Taradorm, located approximately two to three kilometres inside Bangladeshi territory from the border pillar.
The BGB commander said such infiltration of explosives and weapons ahead of the national election posed a serious threat to national security and the peaceful conduct of the polls. “We are treating the incident with the utmost seriousness,” he added.
Legal action has been initiated in connection with the recovery, and investigations are underway in coordination with intelligence agencies and other law enforcement bodies. BGB has heightened vigilance along the border to prevent any form of sabotage, terrorist activities, or illegal arms trafficking ahead of the election.
