Balurghat, Oct. 17: The Border Security Force today said it would coordinate with Border Guard Bangladesh and conduct joint exercises to curb cross-border smuggling.

Senior officers of both the BSF and BGB who took part in a joint band exhibition at Hili today said they would intensify vigil in the border areas to arrest those involved in smuggling.

"The programme (joint band display) has been designed to conduct anti-smuggling and anti-criminal activities along the Hili border ... and promote joint operational efficiency ... between the two border guarding forces," said the BSF commandant of the 199th Battalion at Hili, Akhilesh Sinha.

Sources said it was for the first time that such a joint band display was held in Hili.

South Dinajpur shares a 252km-long border with Bangladesh, of which a 39km-stretch is without fencing.

"Primarily, all (joint) operations would be conducted near Hili railway station," Sinha said. The BSF checkpoint at Hili is almost adjacent to the BGB post on the other side.

"Exercise will be jointly conducted by the BGB and BSF ... to enable better training and understanding ... without hampering security of common people," Sinha said.