The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) conducted a joint exercise along the India-Bangladesh international border on Wednesday and Thursday.
The joint exercise christened ‘Mainamati Maitree Exercise-2019’ was conducted in general area of BSF Out Post Srimantapur opposite Bibir-Bazar Border Out Post of BGB, Bangladesh.
This exercise was named after a hill range situated eight km west of Commilla town, which is home to an ancient Buddhist archaeological site in the region.
According to reports, the joint exercise was part of confidence building measures and step forward towards ever increasing friendly relationship between the two border guards.
The main objective of this exercise was to plan and conduct anti-smuggling and anti-criminal activity related operations with ultimate aim of achieving better joint operational efficiency and Border-Management in the area of responsibility of respective BSF and BGB Battalions participating in the aforesaid joint exercise.
During the joint exercise, troops from both the border guarding forces conducted joint patrolling, joint operation to check smuggling of various contraband goods through riverine border of River Gomati, simulated raid on suspected houses/places of concealment inside territories of respective countries, effective checking of goods and identity control of passengers at respective International Check-Posts (ICPs), holding of flag meetings and other information sharing mechanism.
The exercise concluded with the de-briefing of officers and men by Inspector General of BSF Tripura Frontier and Region Commander of BGB Region located at Sarail.
Officials of both BSF and BGB termed the joint exercise as successful and well organised and that the personnel ‘have learnt valuable lessons’ which will be further implemented for coordinated effective management of the border.