Indian border guards repatriated ten Bangladeshi citizens to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) late Saturday evening following their rescue from the turbulent waters of the Padma River, where a vessel carrying twelve occupants capsized within the Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila.

The formal handover took place at approximately 10 pm along the Faridpur border, facilitated by a company commander-level flag meeting convened between the respective border security agencies of both nations.

Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Mustafizur Rahman, commanding officer of the 53rd BGB Battalion, explained that personnel stationed at the Khandua BSF Camp pulled the ten survivors from the river following the maritime accident and promptly alerted Bangladeshi authorities.

Following the conclusion of the flag meeting, the BSF officially transferred the rescued individuals to the custody of the BGB, who subsequently reunited them with their families in the presence of local elected representatives.

The rescued survivors were identified as Russel (26), Ibrahim (50), Sawdagar (40), Ibrahim (60), Sakhina (45), Nilufa (35), Tania (22) alongside her 20-day-old infant, Sanaullah (9) and Al Amin (9)—all of whom hail from the Jahurpur Bokripara locality within Narayanpur union under the Sadar upazila.

The incident unfolded earlier on Saturday at around 5 pm when the boat departed from Bakherali Ghat bound for Jahurpur.

Approximately 20 minutes into the transit, the watercraft overturned under the stress of heavy gales and formidable river currents, according to accounts provided by local residents and law enforcement officials.

Patrolling details from the Indian Khandua BSF Camp managed to rescue ten of the passengers alive, subsequently transporting them across the border into Indian territory.

A separate passenger, identified as 25-year-old Wasim, successfully swam back ashore to safety within Bangladeshi territory, while another traveler named Mostafa (60), remained unaccounted for.

Local police and Fire Service rescue units rushed to the scene immediately upon being alerted, while the BSF simultaneously communicated the successful rescue operation to their BGB counterparts.

With Inputs from UNB