Forces on High Alert as Reports Indicate Infiltration Attempts via Open India-Nepal Border

PTI, BAHRAICH (U.P.), MAY 22, 2025 : Security forces are on high alert after intelligence reports indicated that over two dozen Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals are attempting to infiltrate the India-Nepal International Border, officials said. The suspected infiltrators are believed to have reached Nepal amid a pause in India-Pakistan hostilities following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Commandant Ganga Singh Udavat of the 42nd Battalion of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the paramilitary force tasked with guarding the India-Nepal border, confirmed the reports on Wednesday evening.

"According to specific inputs received from the SSB Force Headquarters, about 35-37 Bangladeshi and Pakistani citizens have crossed over from their respective countries to Nepal. They will try to infiltrate through the open India-Nepal border," Commandant Udavat said. He emphasized the SSB's readiness to prevent such infiltration attempts.

"We are alert 24/7 to counter any attempt by undesirable individuals to enter India by taking advantage of the open border," he added.

In response to the intelligence inputs, the SSB has intensified its patrolling efforts. Commandant Udavat further stated that the border force is conducting a continuous checking campaign, with soldiers patrolling on foot and in vehicles along roads, through forests, and in villages adjacent to the border. The number of checkpoints has been increased to verify the identity of individuals crossing the border.

Currently, only Indian and Nepali citizens are permitted to cross the India-Nepal border, which spans approximately 1,750 kilometres, touching five Indian states: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and West Bengal. Uttar Pradesh alone shares a 579-kilometre border with Nepal, encompassing districts such as Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, and Maharajganj.

The SSB continues to maintain vigilance and increase its patrols to safeguard the border amid growing security concerns.