In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Meghalaya government has directed security agencies to increase vigilance along its 443-km-long international border with Bangladesh. This move aims to bolster security following the heightened threat of cross-border terrorism.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who is currently in New Delhi en route to the Vatican for Pope Francis’s funeral, is closely monitoring the state’s security situation. While condemning the heinous Pahalgam attack, he has emphasized the need for enhanced coordination between state security forces and the Border Security Force (BSF) to safeguard the international border.
A senior official from the home department confirmed that Sangma has instructed Nongrang to maintain close coordination with the BSF and other agencies to ensure the effectiveness of the border security framework. Notably, about 20% of Meghalaya’s border with Bangladesh remains unfenced due to challenging terrain, including rivers and water bodies, making border surveillance more difficult.
The BSF in Meghalaya has been proactive, having apprehended 78 Bangladeshi nationals who crossed the border illegally, along with six touts assisting in their entry, so far this year. These heightened security measures are expected to continue as the state ramps up its efforts to prevent illegal cross-border movement.
