Bangladeshi National Apprehended at India-Nepal Border Amid Nepal Jailbreak

In a major cross-border operation, Indian security forces have apprehended a Bangladeshi national at the India-Nepal border, suspected of escaping a prison in Nepal amidst the country's recent civil unrest. The arrest is part of a broader crackdown by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and state police, who have so far caught more than 79 individuals, including foreign nationals, attempting to cross the porous 1,751-km-long border.

According to officials, the Bangladeshi citizen was nabbed in Bihar a few days ago, following a mass jailbreak that saw over 15,000 prisoners flee from various correctional facilities across Nepal. The unrest, fueled by violent anti-government protests, led to a complete breakdown of law and order in parts of the country. Security agencies on the Indian side of the border have been on high alert, intensifying patrols and conducting joint operations with their Nepalese counterparts to prevent fugitives from seeking refuge in India.

The operation has seen a wave of arrests, with an official report stating that over 67 inmates have been captured, including a woman named Anjila Khatoon. The detained individuals, including the Bangladeshi national, are currently being held and interrogated by multiple security and intelligence agencies. The arrests have been made across various states bordering Nepal, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, with a significant number of apprehensions in the Madhubani and West Champaran districts. Authorities are also investigating a potential cross-border nexus aiding the fugitives.

The Indian government is coordinating with Nepalese officials, and a decision on the fate of the apprehended individuals, including whether they will be repatriated to Nepal, is pending a directive from the Union Home Ministry. The incident underscores the challenges posed by the open border, and the swift action by the SSB and police has been crucial in maintaining security and order in the region.