In a bold and coordinated crackdown under Operation Sindoor, over 2,000 alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been forcibly returned across the India-Bangladesh border since the early hours of May 7, government sources revealed to The Indian Express.
But that’s not all — the ongoing sweep has triggered a wave of panic, with an equal number of migrants voluntarily approaching the border, desperate to avoid arrest and deportation.
Nationwide Sweep, Border-Heavy Focus
Launched after a massive nationwide verification drive, the operation is unfolding swiftly across border states like Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam, sources said. Interestingly, Gujarat has emerged as a major hotspot — accounting for nearly 50% of all deportations so far.
Meanwhile, Delhi and Haryana have also reported significant action, with large numbers of illegal immigrants being rounded up and sent back. The pushback is further being supported by operations in Assam, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
What’s Driving the Fear?
The scale and speed of Operation Sindoor have sent shockwaves through illegal migrant networks, triggering voluntary exits and significantly reducing the undocumented population along critical zones.
With more waves of deportation expected, authorities are maintaining a tight grip along international borders to prevent reentry and ensure compliance with national security directives.
Operation Sindoor: Inside India’s Ongoing Crackdown on Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants
The Indian government has launched a high-intensity crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants under Operation Sindoor, a campaign that has already seen over 2,000 individuals pushed back across the international border — and that number continues to grow.
From Verification to Deportation: How the Operation Works
A senior government source told The Indian Express that states with high economic activity have intensified verification drives since the Pahalgam terror attacks in April. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued clear instructions, and state governments — including Gujarat, Delhi, and Haryana — are actively rounding up individuals lacking valid documentation.
Once identified, immigrants are flown in IAF aircraft to designated border points and handed over to the BSF, which houses them in temporary camps. They’re provided food, minimal essentials, and — if required — Bangladeshi currency before being pushed back within hours.
“It’s a focused, ongoing process. More states will soon join. Gujarat was the first off the blocks,” said the official.
Strategic Border Choices – Not Politics, But Practicality
Security officials have clarified that states like Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam were chosen for logistical ease, not political affiliation.
“There’s a perception that these are BJP-ruled states, but Meghalaya has minimal BJP presence. These states allow faster repatriation. In West Bengal, for example, the border runs through villages and homes, raising potential law and order concerns,” explained one senior officer.
Voluntary Departures and Smooth Coordination
Interestingly, the fear of arrest has led nearly 2,000 illegal immigrants to voluntarily approach the border, choosing repatriation over detention. Many are poor laborers with limited legal resources, choosing to return to families instead of facing prolonged detention.
“Once at the border, they contact relatives across in Bangladesh who come to receive them. Resistance has been minimal,” a source said.
A Temporary Fix?
While the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) are currently cooperating, officials caution that tensions may rise if weekly pushbacks swell to 10,000–20,000 people. The government is now exploring biometric data capture to prevent re-entry and to integrate records with national immigration systems.
“These repatriation drives happened before — even under previous governments. But without data tracking, many simply return once the pressure drops,” a security officer noted.
The Bottom Line:
Operation Sindoor signals a renewed national push to regulate illegal immigration, but authorities admit the current efforts are short-term solutions to a long-term challenge.
Stay updated with the latest news and real-time alerts – Click here to follow us on Instagram
Add Business Connect magazine to your Google News feed
