Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh prevented India’s Border Security Force from installing cement boundary posts near the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat, prompting the BSF to retreat, officials said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on Monday afternoon in the Poyshottibari border area under Sreerampur Union of Patgram upazila, between Border Pillars 845/1-S and 845/2-S, within the jurisdiction of Poyshottibari Border Outpost under the 61 BGB Battalion.

Assistant director of the 61 BGB Battalion Karimul Islam confirmed the incident in a press release issued on Tuesday.

According to BGB and local sources, members of the BSF’s Panishala-1 Camp of the 98 Battalion, assisted by Indian nationals, removed previously installed bamboo posts in the Panishala area of Harikamata village under Mekhliganj Police Station in Cooch Behar district, about 100 metres inside Indian territory from the zero line.

They then began installing new cement posts measuring around three to four feet in height.

On receiving the information, a BGB patrol team rushed to the spot and objected to the installation, after which the BSF personnel withdrew from the area.

Legally, any construction that either side engages in within 150 metres of either side of the zero line must be preceded by mutual consultations.

BGB said it has intensified patrols and remains on maximum alert along the border following the incident.