The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has foiled an attempt at illegal infiltration near the Raxaul Maitri Bridge on the India–Nepal international border, arresting three Bangladeshi nationals and one Indian citizen. The four were allegedly planning to travel to Chennai via Bihar and Gorakhpur.

According to the SSB, surveillance was intensified on Wednesday night following inputs about suspicious activities in the border area. During the operation, four suspects were intercepted. Questioning and examination of their mobile phones confirmed that three of them were Bangladeshi nationals, while the fourth was assisting them.

The arrested Bangladeshi nationals have been identified as Md Firoz, Md Sofaj and Md Olur Rahman. The Indian national, Md Sarfaraz Ansari, a resident of Chanpatia in West Champaran district, admitted during questioning that he helped them in exchange for money.

SSB officials said fake Indian identity documents were recovered from the accused. Analysis of mobile chats and location data revealed that the group had already entered Bihar and was planning to proceed to Gorakhpur before travelling onwards to Chennai.

All four accused have been handed over to the local police. Security agencies are now investigating the motive behind the infiltration and whether any organised network is involved.

In view of the New Year and based on intelligence inputs, security has been tightened along the Bihar–Nepal border, particularly at key routes such as Raxaul, Sonbarsa and Jogbani. The SSB has launched an intensive checking drive, with thorough screening of travellers entering and exiting from Nepal.

SSB Director General Sanjay Singhal said the alertness of the personnel had led to the exposure of a major conspiracy. He added that investigations were underway to dismantle the entire network and police in the concerned states have also been put on alert.