While rescuing a kidnapped man in Karimganj district, Assam Police have discovered a 200-metre-long tunnel connecting India and Bangladesh in the district.
The news has been confirmed by Karimganj superintendent of police Mayank Kumar.
It is suspected that the tunnel is being used by international gangs involved in kidnapping and smuggling.
According to a media report, one Dilwar Hossain was kidnapped on December 28.
Dilwar Hossain is a resident of Shilua village under Nilambazar police station in Karimganj.
After an FIR lodged with the police, the Karimganj Police launched an operation in search of Hossain.
The report quoted SP Mayank Kumar as saying: “We received an FIR regarding a person who was abducted to the other side of the border, following which we went to the area.”
He further said everything will be clear about the tunnel only after a proper investigation.
Saying that there are some serious issues in some particular areas in the Indo-Bangla border, the Karimganj SP said the police have taken up the matter with the Border Security Force (BSF) and intelligence agencies.
It has been reported that Dilwar Hossain’s captors had contacted his family over the phone from a Bangldeshi number and demanded a ransom of Tk 5 lakh.
Dilwar Hossain’s family also agreed to pay the amount and the kidnappers gave some instructions and asked Elimuddin, a person from neighbouring Nayagram, to bring the money.
But after the police arrested Elimuddin, the kidnappers released Hossain, the report said.
After his return, the police interrogated Hossain and he revealed about the secret tunnel.
On Friday, a special team led by the Karimganj district superintendent of police conducted an operation in the Balia area in search of the tunnel and the cops discovered a tunnel more than 200 metres long.
The report quoted Kumar as saying that the location of the tunnel was covered in plants and there was a barbed wire fence above the tunnel.
Hossain revealed that the tunnel leads to Sylhet in Bangladesh and miscreants regularly use it.
He said there are around 63 “natural gaps” along the international border with Bangladesh in Karimganj.
The SP informed that the BSF has been asked to close the Indian part of the tunnel with immediate effect.