Border Guard Bangladesh thwarted attempts by India’s Border Security Force to push 15 people into Bangladesh at two separate border points early on Saturday, officials said.

At Birampur in northern Dinajpur district, BSF personnel tried to force nine individuals across the border near pillar 291 at around 4:30 am, according to BGB and local accounts. BGB troops and villagers carrying sticks confronted the group, compelling the BSF to pull them back inside Indian territory.

Company commander Tia Alam of the BGB’s Ghasuria camp said his unit had repelled an attempt to bring nine women into Bangladesh illegally. The group remained about 10 yards inside India after the failed bid.

A separate attempt occurred roughly an hour later at Maheshpur in the Jhenaidah district. BSF members tried to push six people — four men and two women — through a gate near border pillar 55/MP around 5:30 am. Munshi Imdadur Rahman, assistant director of the BGB’s 58 battalion at Khalshipur, said his force had blocked the move. The six individuals were later positioned 30 yards inside India from the zero line, and the BSF had been informed, he said.

In the hours that followed, the BSF increased its presence along the Indian side of the border, while BGB personnel were reinforced and residents gathered on the Bangladesh side, some armed with sticks. The stand-off caused temporary tension before the situation returned to normal. Shukur Ali, a local union council member, said the increased BSF presence had created tension along the border.

The 15 individuals were reported to be inside Indian territory after the incidents, according to BGB officials and local reporting.