Two Bangladeshi nationals, who are suspected to be cattle smugglers, were arrested during a joint operation by BSF and Mankachar police in South Salmara Mankachar district of Assam on Wednesday night. The police acted on a tip-off, the BSF and Mankachar police jointly launched a drive in Jhalerchar and Kukurmara villages, adjacent to the Indo-Bangladesh border and arrested two Bangladeshi nationals along with a herd of three cattle heads.

The duo was identified as 27-year-old Sahidur Islam, son of Late Habej, a resident of Kowarchar village and 27-year-old Nasiruddin, son of Amirul Islam, a resident of Chengtapara village under Rowmari police station of Kurigram district in Bangladesh.

This news was confirmed by Binod Das, officer-in-charge of Mankachar police station in South Salmara Mankachar District.

Police sources said “During preliminary investigation, the duo admitted that they had entered India for purchasing cattle with the help of Bangladeshi touts.”

The police had recovered three cattle heads from the possession of the two Bangladeshi cattle smugglers.

Further investigation is being conducted. It may be mentioned that a cattle smuggler was shot dead and three others were injured by Assam police near Mahamaya Char under South Salmara PS in South Salmara Mankachar district in the wee hours of January 4.

Mahamaya Char is adjacent to the Indo-Bangladesh international border. The deceased was identified as 35-year-old Nurjamal Sk while three others, who were injured in the incident, were identified as Pasan Ali, Alom Ali and Dulal Sk. All were inhabitants of South Salmara Mankachar District.

On December 6, one cattle smuggler was also shot dead by BSF personnel under Mankachar police station while on November 15 another cattle smuggler was also shot dead by BSF under the same police station in South Salmara Mankachar District.