At a bustling weekly market in Shrirampur, a small border village in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, an unsettling discovery was made: Bangladeshi SIM cards are being sold openly, creating a communication loophole that threatens India’s border security.
As per an exclusive report by Hindi Daily, Dainik Bhaskar, Mohammad Ashfaq, a local trader in the market involved in import-export, was seen using a keypad phone. When asked about the frequent calls he was making to Bangladesh, Ashfaq casually remarked, “These are not international calls but local ones because I use a Bangladeshi SIM. It’s essential for my work.” On probing further about the source of the SIM, he revealed that they are readily available in the local market.
Such cards have become an indispensable tool for smugglers and traders who rely on seamless communication across the India-Bangladesh border without the need for costly international calls.
The Border Security Force (BSF), tasked with safeguarding India’s borders, is grappling with the proliferation of these foreign SIMs. Following political unrest in Bangladesh in August, the trade and use of Bangladeshi SIM cards have surged in areas like Shrirampur.
The networks of Bangladeshi telecom operators extend up to five kilometres inside Indian territory, allowing users to exploit this coverage for illicit activities. A local police officer revealed a breakthrough incident to Dainik Bhaskar: “Recently, while some smugglers were fleeing towards Bangladesh, one of them dropped a phone. It had a Bangladeshi SIM card, confirming the presence of foreign networks operating within Indian borders.”
DIG NK Pandey of the South Bengal Frontier of BSF stated, “Tracking smugglers using the Bangladeshi network has become our biggest challenge.” DIG Anil Kumar Sinha of the Baharampur Range added, “We have deployed additional troops from Nadia to Jangipur to counter the growing menace.”
The Bhaskar team uncovered the operational details of this clandestine trade. A local agent, speaking anonymously, demonstrated a Bangladeshi SIM card and explained the procurement process. “These SIMs are sold at select paan and grocery shops in border villages for Rs 5,000 each. Once you place an order, a third party delivers the SIM to your chosen location, ensuring complete anonymity and minimal risk,” the agent disclosed.
Despite advancements in surveillance technology, Indian authorities are struggling to monitor these foreign SIM cards. A BSF officer associated with network operations elaborated on the challenges:
Triangulation: Ineffective due to the absence of Indian network signals.
Tower End Analyser: Fails to detect foreign SIM locations.
Equipment Identity Register (EIR): IMEI numbers are often replaced by smugglers.
Service Providers: Cooperation is unavailable from Bangladeshi telecom companies.
“These SIMs operate beyond the reach of our existing surveillance systems,” the officer said.
Murshidabad’s 125-kilometer-long border with Bangladesh is a mix of land and riverine terrain, with significant stretches remaining unfenced. The Padma River further complicates the situation, creating natural gaps in security.
In neighbouring Nadia district, 20.61 kilometres of the border remain unfenced, leading to frequent intrusions. In just six weeks, 52 suspected intruders were apprehended, including 10 Bangladeshis and five Indian collaborators.
Villages like Durlabhpur on the banks of the Padma River have reportedly become hubs for illegal settlers. Residents and security forces face challenges in distinguishing these intruders due to their similar language, clothing, and lifestyle. “Panchayats avoid reporting them as many have familial ties with local villagers,” a local resident said.
The unregulated sale of Bangladeshi SIM cards not only undermines India’s border security but also facilitates cross-border criminal activities. Experts emphasise the need for advanced surveillance technologies and stricter monitoring of telecom networks in border regions.
The BSF has intensified patrols, but without technological support and cross-border cooperation, the issue remains a significant challenge. As the situation persists, it raises critical questions about the adequacy of India’s border security mechanisms and the unchecked vulnerabilities that smugglers continue to exploit.
