DHAKA, April 12, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained two individuals and seized three rare stone statues during separate anti-smuggling drives in the border areas of Dinajpur and Thakurgaon.

According to a BGB press release, members of Dinajpur Battalion (42 BGB) carried out coordinated operations in Biral and Birganj upazilas of Dinajpur and in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila following intelligence reports about an organised group attempting to smuggle valuable archaeological artefacts to a neighbouring country.

The drives, led by Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Moin Hasan, were conducted between 1:45 am and 7:00 am on April 11 with support from local police and Thakurgaon Battalion (50 BGB).

During the drive, BGB members detained two suspects - Suman Chandra Deb, 30, of Gauripur village in Biral upazila, and Abdul Hai, 65, of Chandipur village in Thakurgaon Sadar.

A 9.54 kg rare black stone (Kostipathor) statue of Vishnu and a 45.37 kg white stone statue of Shiva were recovered from their possession.

In a separate operation in the Birganj border area, BGB also seized an abandoned 33.85 kg black stone statue identified as a Shiva Lingam.

The seized artifacts have been examined by the Rangpur regional office of the Department of Archaeology, which confirmed their significant archaeological value. 

Under the Antiquities Act of 1968 (amended in 1976), such items are considered protected national heritage.

The estimated seizure value of the recovered statues is over Tk 66 lakh, although officials noted that their true value is immeasurable due to their historical importance.

The detained individuals, along with the seized items, have been handed over to the respective police stations for further legal action.

Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Moin Hasan stated that BGB remains committed to strengthening border security and preventing smuggling, particularly of valuable cultural heritage. 

He added that operations against drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms smuggling, and other cross-border crimes will continue with vigilance.