Shillong, July 15: The BSF today claimed that Bangladeshi nationals have been attempting to infiltrate into Indian territory through the unfenced patches in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills districts.

The revelation came after BSF troops of Lyngkhat border outpost apprehended a Bangladeshi national, identified as Abdul Rahim alias Raju, hailing from Badeshwar village under Sylhet district, from East Khasi Hills district yesterday around 3.30pm.

He was carrying fake Indian currency notes of Rs 50,000,

Bangladeshi currency of 5,000 Taka and a mobile phone with Bangladeshi SIM card were also recovered from Rahim’s possession.

“The fake Indian currency notes were meant for circulation in the Indian market. The BSF is keeping strict vigil and using effective intelligence network along the Indo-Bangladesh border to arrest the fake Indian currency notes racketeers and smugglers. The force has also been successful in arresting the racketeers on six occasions in East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills districts,” a statement from the BSF said.

The statement also said the spot where Rahim was apprehended remained unfenced owing to opposition from locals.

“The Bangladesh nationals have always been trying to take advantage of the unfenced patches in the East Khasi Hills and the Jaintia Hills districts as it is the third attempt by a racketeer to smuggle fake currency notes through the same area in East Khasi Hills,” the statement added.

The apprehended Bangladeshi was handed over to the local police for further interrogation.

In the past, several nationals from the neighbouring country had been arrested by the BSF troops while trying to infiltrateinto India.

Even Indian nationals, especially suspected militants, were apprehended while attempting to cross over to Bangladesh.