AMRITSAR: In an unprecedented security breach, eleven Bangladeshi nationals, comprising 3 women and 3 children, successfully scaled the fortified wall of the high-security Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Attari international border and remained for over two hours before being detected by the Border Security Force (BSF).
According to highly placed sources, the 11 Bangladeshi nationals, who intended to travel to Pakistan but lacked valid travel documents, arrived in Amritsar on Wednesday and went to Attari to witness the flag-lowering ceremony
After the ceremony, they attempted to assess the situation for crossing the border. However, their suspicious behavior caught the attention of a local resident, Ranjit Singh (name changed).
Ranjit approached the Bangladeshi nationals and managed to gain their trust. “They told their intention to travel to Pakistan. Ranjit, assured to assist them and demanded Rs 25,000 per person but they lacked sufficient funds . However, they gave him Rs 25,000 with the understanding that upon reaching Pakistan, they would arrange for their relatives to transfer the money to his account” said sources.
The sources informed that from 8 pm to 11:30 pm, Ranjit hide them in vacant army bunkers near the ditch cum bundh . Around 11:30 pm, he guided them towards the ICP from the Roranwala village side.
Sources further informed that Ranjit who had arranged for a wire cutter, cut the barbed wire, enabling all the Bangladeshi nationals to cross through it and reached a towering around 11-foot high wall.
In the absence of a ladder, Ranjit hoisted each Bangladeshi national onto his shoulders, allowing them to reach the top of the wall, from where they safely jumped to the other side undetected.
According to sources, one of the pregnant Bangladeshi women suffered a miscarriage during the process of scaling the wall, leading to severe bleeding.
All the 11 Bangladeshis remained hidden in the ICP but were detected by the BSF at around 2 pm and took them in their custody.
It is learnt that the woman was admitted to the hospital for the treatment.
Inspector General, BSF, Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele confirmed the apprehension of 11 Bangladeshi’s. He said all the Bangladeshi’s were held while crossing the wall into ICP and denied having cut the barbed wire.
“We have asked the Director General of Police , Punjab to investigate the matter with a human trafficking angle,” said he.
However, the entry of foreign nationals into the Attari ICP at the pitch dark has raised several questions marks on its security especially when the forces hee remains on high alert in the wake of any mischief at the international border
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