BSF seized gold worth Rs 1.71 crore from a border village in Tripura

The Border Security Force (BSF) seized 2.180 kg of smuggled gold valued at Rs 1.71 crore at a border village in Tripura India-Bangladesh frontier, officials said on Thursday.

 A BSF spokesman said that troops of 81st Battalion of the border guards seized 2.180 kg gold from the Nehal Chandra Nagar village bordering Sonamura sub-division of Sepahijala district on Wednesday night.

 Acting on specific intelligence input, BSF troops laid an ambush along the international border and the para-military personnel observed suspicious movements near the border fence.

When challenged by the BSF, the suspected smugglers managed to flee, taking advantage of dense vegetation, uneven terrain, and the cover of darkness, the spokesman said.

He said undeterred, the alert BSF troops conducted a thorough search of the area which led to the recovery of the smuggled gold, which included bars, biscuits, and nuts, collectively weighing approximately 2.180 kgs.

The seized gold has been handed over to Customs for further legal action.

A BSF statement said that the successful operation highlights the BSF's unwavering commitment to safeguarding India's borders and preventing cross-border smuggling.

Notably, this seizure stands out as one of the most significant gold recovery operations on the Indo-Bangladesh border in recent years, particularly in Tripura.

The BSF remains steadfast in its mission to curb illegal activities along the border and ensure national security, the statement said.

A senior BSF official said that 55 Rohingyas among 675 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh apprehended in Tripura this year by the BSF and various contraband worth Rs 48 crore have been seized.

In view of the unrest in Bangladesh, the BSF has intensified its vigil along the India-Bangladesh border and deployed additional troops. The BSF also uses various devices to closely monitor the border situation.