Gujarat Police have detained over 1,000 individuals describing them as Bangladeshis and accused them of illegal infiltration and residing in India with forged documents.
The arrests followed coordinated raids by the Special Operations Group (SOG), Crime Branch, and Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) across multiple locations in the state, reports Indian media.
In Surat, overnight operations led to the arrest of 134 alleged Bangladeshis. Deputy Commissioner of Police (SOG) Rajdeep Singh Nakum told ANI that the detentions were based on intelligence inputs, targeting individuals who entered India illegally and used fake documents to stay. "They will be deported to Bangladesh after the investigation," Nakum confirmed.
In Ahmedabad, raids in the Chandola area resulted in 890 arrests during early morning searches. Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sharad Singhal stated, "We received information about a large number of illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in Chandola. The operation, ordered by the Home Minister, Police Commissioner, and State Police DG, led to these detentions."
Since April 2024, two separate FIRs have been filed, resulting in 127 Bangladeshi arrests, with 77 already deported. The crackdown is part of a broader directive from the Indian central government to address illegal residency nationwide.
Separately, India has tightened measures against Pakistani citizens following an attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir. Actions include canceling Pakistani visas and ordering their departure within a stipulated period. States have been instructed to ensure no Pakistani citizens remain.