BSF troops deployed along Bangladesh frontier usually nab smugglers, but this time they saved 12 Bangladeshis from drowning in a pond after they were chased by a border patrol for allegedly sending cattle across illegally.
The incident happened in the wee hours of October 27 when a Border Security Force (BSF) patrol intercepted cattle smugglers moving suspiciously near village Parbati Danga in Malda district along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
On being challenged by the border guards, the dozen-odd suspected smugglers jumped into a pond full of muddy water and elephant grass and began crying for help and rescue.
The BSF squad, displaying a humanitarian gesture, launched a rescue operation with the help of local villagers and saved them.
After being rescued, the smugglers were administered first aid and later handed over to local police. 51 cattle were seized from them, a senior BSF officer said.
The smugglers were from Nawgaon and Rajshahi districts of Bangladesh, the official said.
