Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized a stockpile of high explosives and unlawful firearms from a border region in Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar early today. The recovered items comprise 24 tubes of Powergel Nine, a commercial high explosive commonly used in mining, tunneling, and construction blasting, produced by India’s SBL Energy Limited. Additionally, 23 detonators, 15 meters of detonator cord, and three pipe guns were also found, as confirmed by Lt Col Md Ataur Rahman, commander of BGB-52 Beanibazar Battalion.
BGB reported that a group of offenders illicitly entered Bangladesh with the items close to Border Pillar 1375/M within the jurisdiction of the New Pallathal BOP around 12:10 am today. Acting on intelligence, two patrol teams conducted a joint special operation. Upon detecting the presence of BGB personnel, the culprits escaped into the forest under the veil of darkness.
Subsequently, at approximately 12:40 am, BGB discovered the abandoned high explosives and illegal weapons in the Taradaram area of South Shahbazpur union, roughly 2-3km inside Bangladesh from Border Pillar 1375/M. Lt Col Ataur emphasized the significance of this seizure ahead of the impending national parliamentary election, indicating that the infiltration of explosives and weapons seems to pose a threat to national security and the peaceful election process. He emphasized that the situation is being handled with utmost gravity.
Legal actions related to the incident are in progress, with ongoing investigations in collaboration with pertinent intelligence agencies and law enforcement bodies.
