Indian Occupation Claim on Social Media Denied by BGB

Border Guard Bangladesh Denounces False Reports of Indian Territorial Occupation

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) issued a strong statement yesterday denouncing what it called “baseless, malicious and state-antagonistic” rumors circulating on social media claiming that India has occupied 62 kilometers of territory in Lalmonirhat district.

In their official response, the BGB categorically rejected the viral claims, stating that the misinformation appears deliberately fabricated to mislead the public and tarnish Bangladesh’s image. The force emphasized that every inch of Bangladesh’s sovereign territory along the border remains under their complete control.

“Each member of BGB remains ever vigilant and committed to safeguarding the border with patriotism and the highest level of professionalism,” the statement read. Officials urged the public to exercise caution when consuming social media content and to refrain from sharing unverified information that could undermine national security or bilateral relations.

The false claims emerged amid a generally stable period in Bangladesh-India border relations, though the two nations have occasionally experienced tensions over boundary demarcation and cross-border activities. Lalmonirhat, located in northern Bangladesh, shares a significant border with India’s West Bengal state.

Border management between Bangladesh and India has been formalized through several agreements over the decades. The Comprehensive Border Management Plan signed between the two countries provides a framework for cooperation on border security matters, including coordinated patrolling and information sharing.

Security experts note that misinformation regarding border issues can be particularly damaging in South Asia, where historical territorial disputes have sometimes escalated into diplomatic tensions. Dr. Rahman Ahmed, an international relations analyst at Dhaka University, explained that “border security is intrinsically tied to national identity and sovereignty in Bangladesh. False narratives about territorial encroachment can quickly inflame public sentiment and potentially damage bilateral relations.”

The BGB, formerly known as the Bangladesh Rifles, serves as the nation’s primary border security force with approximately 50,000 personnel stationed across the country’s 4,427-kilometer international border. The force undergoes regular joint exercises with their Indian counterparts to enhance coordination and prevent cross-border criminal activities.

Digital misinformation has become an increasing concern for Bangladeshi authorities in recent years. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has previously warned about the spread of false information on social media platforms and has worked with various agencies to combat disinformation campaigns.

Media literacy experts have pointed to this incident as highlighting the continued need for public education regarding social media consumption. “The rapid spread of this particular rumor demonstrates how easily border-related misinformation can circulate without verification,” said Tahmina Akter, a media analyst with the Dhaka Media Studies Center.

The BGB has called upon citizens to remain vigilant against those spreading false propaganda and to verify information through official channels before sharing content related to national security matters.

Neither the Indian Border Security Force nor the Indian High Commission in Dhaka has issued any statement regarding the false claims at the time of reporting.