Friday, June 3 2005 16:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Shillong: The Bangladesh authorities indeed carried out a massive crackdown on Indian insurgents based in that Country, the BSF (Border Security Force) said today (Jun 3, 2005) after getting confirmation from its Bangladesh counterpart, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR).

However, the BDR has not provided information as to the number of ultras arrested during the operation, BSF Inspector General S C Srivastava said. Accordingly, the crackdown took place from May 24 to May 30 in Rangpur, Kurigram, Sherpur, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Kagrachari, Rangamati and Moulavi Bazar areas of Bangladesh.

Joint patrolling by BSF and BDR -- started along some stretches of the border -- would help in effective checking of trans-border crimes and maintaining peace along the border, he said.

The IG also informed that since January this year, BSF apprehended 140 smugglers -- 58 Indians and 82 Bangladeshis. This apart, 254 illegal entrants were also intercepted in the same period, he said.