Illegal entry bid: Sri Lankan national, Indian aide arrested at Raxaul

Motihari: The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and immigration personnel have arrested a Sri Lankan national and his Indian accomplice while they were illegally attempting to enter India through the immigration check post at Raxaul on the India-Nepal border, authorities said on Saturday.SSB personnel deployed at the Maitri bridge near the integrated check post stopped the two men after finding their movement suspicious as they were trying to enter the check post area in Bihar on foot from the Nepal side.The arrested person was identified as Kachi Mohammad Haneef, a resident of Sri Lanka. His Indian accomplice Kanoth Rashid, who was arrested along with him, is a resident of Kerala. Preliminary investigation revealed that the Sri Lankan national did not possess a valid visa to enter India, despite which he was attempting to cross the border.During the search, security agencies recovered several items from the Sri Lankan national, including his passport, Sri Lankan identity card, Nepali currency, a cellphone and a camera.The immigration and security agencies are conducting intensive interrogation of both accused persons. Investigators are focusing on establishing the real motive behind the Sri Lankan national’s illegal entry into India and the role played by the youth from Kerala in facilitating his movement.Agencies are also probing how long the two had been in contact with each other and whether any organised network was operating behind them.Sanjay Pandey, SSB commandant of the 47 battalion, said after the completion of interrogation and necessary paperwork, both accused would be handed over to Haraiya police station for further legal proceedings.Security agencies said illegal infiltration by immigrants using forged documents or without valid documents has emerged as a serious concern for India. On Jan 1, 2026, three Bangladeshi nationals were arrested at the gate of the immigration office at Raxaul while attempting to sneak into Indian territory with the help of an Indian middleman, who was found to be in possession of a forged Indian visa.Officials said last year, 16 foreigners were arrested while trying to enter Indian territory through the Raxaul check post. All of them were sent to jail.