Dinajpur: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained two individuals and seized three rare stone statues during separate anti-smuggling drives in the border areas of Dinajpur and Thakurgaon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a BGB press release detailed that members of Dinajpur Battalion (42 BGB) executed coordinated operations in Biral and Birganj upazilas of Dinajpur and in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila. These actions followed intelligence reports about an organized group attempting to smuggle valuable archaeological artifacts to a neighboring country.
The operations, led by Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Moin Hasan, took place between 1:45 am and 7:00 am on April 11, with support from local police and Thakurgaon Battalion (50 BGB). During the drive, BGB members detained two suspects: Suman Chandra Deb, 30, from Gauripur village in Biral upazila, and Abdul Hai, 65, from Chandipur village in Thakurgaon Sadar.
A 9.54 kg rare black stone (Kostipathor) statue of Vishnu and a 45.37 kg white stone statue of Shiva were recovered from their possession. In a separate operation in the Birganj border area, BGB also seized an abandoned 33.85 kg black stone statue identified as a Shiva Lingam.
The Rangpur regional office of the Department of Archaeology examined the seized artifacts and confirmed their significant archaeological value. Under the Antiquities Act of 1968 (amended in 1976), such items are considered protected national heritage.
The estimated seizure value of the recovered statues exceeds Tk 66 lakh. However, officials noted that their true value is immeasurable due to their historical importance. The detained individuals, along with the seized items, have been handed over to the respective police stations for further legal action.
Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Moin Hasan stated that BGB remains committed to strengthening border security and preventing smuggling, particularly of valuable cultural heritage. He added that operations against drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms smuggling, and other cross-border crimes will continue with vigilance.