By Kavita Mistry 
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Upon dismantling the suspicious tyre, the BSF personnel discovered seven gold biscuits (or bars) cleverly concealed within
The crucial clue came from the bicycle’s front tyre, which appeared unusually swollen and rigid, prompting the BSF personnel to conduct a detailed inspection. Representational image/PTI
The Border Security Force (BSF) achieved a significant breakthrough in its anti-smuggling operations on Thursday, seizing gold bars worth an estimated Rs 1.02 crore along the sensitive India-Bangladesh border in Malda district, West Bengal.
The operation, carried out by the troops of the 119 Battalion under the South Bengal Frontier, highlighted the increasingly innovative and deceptive methods employed by smuggling syndicates operating in the region.
Suspicion Raised by Swollen Tyre
The seizure, effected near the MS Pur Border Outpost (BOP), was the result of a specific intelligence tip-off regarding an attempt to smuggle a high-value consignment from Bangladesh into India. BSF troops intensified surveillance in the area and intercepted a suspicious individual approaching the international border fence on a bicycle. The man’s hesitation and nervousness under questioning immediately drew attention to his vehicle.
The crucial clue came from the bicycle’s front tyre, which appeared unusually swollen and rigid, prompting the BSF personnel to conduct a detailed inspection. As the troops began to dismantle the tyre, the suspected smuggler took advantage of the brief distraction and fled rapidly into a nearby densely populated area, escaping a subsequent search operation.
Clever Concealment
Upon dismantling the suspicious tyre, the BSF personnel discovered seven gold biscuits (or bars) cleverly concealed within. The total recovered gold weighed 816.41 grams, with its market value pegged at Rs 1,02,40,230.
The India-Bangladesh border, particularly the South Bengal Frontier covering districts like Malda, is notorious for the trafficking of high-value items, including gold, Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), and narcotics, often exploiting the porous nature of the terrain. The BSF remains vigilant, utilising dedicated intelligence and advanced surveillance to intercept these cross-border networks. The seized gold has been handed over to the concerned Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for further investigation into the smuggling network involved.
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via …Read More
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via … Read More
November 28, 2025, 04:56 IST
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