BGB Rescues and Releases 65 Smuggled Turtles into Saldanadi

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) intercepted a wildlife trafficking operation along the Kasba border in Brahmanbaria, seizing 65 smuggled turtles before safely releasing them back into their natural habitat.

Acting on specific intelligence, a patrol team from the Saldanadi Border Outpost (BOP) under the Sultanpur Battalion (60 BGB) carried out a targeted operation in the Shaheed Minar area of Kasba Upazila on Tuesday, 21st July. During the drive, officers discovered two distinct species of turtles left behind by smugglers who fled the scene after spotting the approaching patrol. The seized haul comprised four large Peacock Softshell turtles alongside 61 smaller Indian Flapshell turtles, all intended for illegal transport across the border.

Following standard legal procedures and wildlife protection guidelines, the rescued reptiles were handed over to local forest officials. In the presence of BGB personnel and community leaders, the team released all 65 turtles into the waters of the Salda River. The release was overseen by Naib Subedar Md Masud, Company Commander at Saldanadi; Md Mazahar Islam Chowdhury, Acting Officer of the Comilla Social Forest Division; and Mohammad Mustafa Kamal, Brahmanpara Upazila Forest Officer. Official attendees stressed the vital role of wildlife conservation in preserving ecological balance, calling for stronger public awareness to curb illegal animal trafficking.

Lieutenant Colonel SM Shariful Islam, Commanding Officer of the Sultanpur Battalion (60 BGB), affirmed that the border force remains steadfast in protecting national natural resources alongside its core security duties. He highlighted that BGB personnel actively combat illegal cross-border activities—including narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, and unauthorized entry—while remaining equally committed to preventing wildlife poaching along border corridors. Similar anti-smuggling drives, he noted, will continue across the region.