More than 2,000 alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been “pushed back” across the international border since the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, as part of a nationwide verification and deportation drive, The Indian Express reported, citing government sources.
The report adds that an equal number of immigrants have voluntarily turned up near the India-Bangladesh border, seeking to return home amid heightened fears triggered by the crackdown.
The ongoing operation is concentrated along the Bangladesh border in Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam, with Gujarat emerging as a key contributor, accounting for nearly half of those deported so far. Other states including Delhi, Haryana, Assam, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan have also rounded up large numbers of undocumented immigrants, The Indian Express reported.
“This is an ongoing process and all states with significant economic activity are participating after verifying documents,” a senior government official told The Indian Express. “The Pahalgam attacks in April were a turning point. Since Operation Sindoor, the pace of the crackdown has accelerated. Gujarat was the first to act, followed by Delhi and Haryana, and more states are expected to follow suit. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued clear instructions, and states are cooperating.”
According to the report, immigrants are being flown in Indian Air Force aircraft to border areas, where they are placed in makeshift camps managed by the Border Security Force (BSF). They are reportedly given food and small amounts of Bangladeshi currency before being sent across the border after brief detention.
A security official cited by The Indian Express explained that states like Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam were chosen not due to political affiliations but logistical ease. “West Bengal, for instance, poses challenges because the border often cuts through villages and homes, making enforcement sensitive and complex due to familial ties across the boundary,” the officer said.
Another official revealed that close to 2,000 individuals have voluntarily approached border checkpoints amid fears of detention. “Because of widespread media coverage, many are choosing to return rather than risk being jailed,” the official told The Indian Express.
Sources told The Indian Express that the operation has so far proceeded without resistance and with the cooperation of the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB). Most individuals being deported are poor laborers who entered India in recent years and lack the resources to mount legal defenses.
“Once picked up, they prefer to go back rather than be sent to detention centres. Many contact their families in Bangladesh, who arrive at the border to receive them,” a security officer said. “Only those who have been in India for decades are putting up resistance.”
However, concerns remain about the long-term sustainability of the drive. Officials anticipate diplomatic unease in Bangladesh if deportation figures rise to 10,000–20,000 per week. “This is a temporary measure. Such operations were carried out during the UPA era too, but most immigrants returned once the pressure eased,” a source told The Indian Express. “That’s why the government is now pushing for biometric profiling and integration with broader immigration databases to prevent repeat entry.”
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
