In a major crackdown on cross-border smuggling, police carried out a dramatic late-night raid on Saturday at the residence of Buru Banik, a man long accused of illegal trafficking across the Bangladesh border. The operation took place at Hazari Chowmuhani under the Kamalasagar assembly constituency and led to the recovery of a large cache of suspected smuggled goods and explosives.
According to police sources, Buru Banik had gained notoriety in the area for allegedly smuggling clothes and other items into Bangladesh over a prolonged period. Acting on a specific tip-off, a joint police team launched a coordinated raid on Banik’s house and the adjoining rubber plantation. The operation was led by Additional Superintendent of Police (Sepahijala) Rajib Sutradhar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Bishalgarh Vikas Senthia, and Officer-in-Charge of Bishalgarh Police Station Bijoy Das, with support from Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel.
During the search, police recovered a significant quantity of clothes, mobile phone display units, and fresh explosives. In addition, a cannabis plantation discovered behind the house was destroyed on the spot. Following the seizures, specialised units including the bomb disposal squad, dog squad, and a forensic team were called in to examine the explosives and collect evidence from the site.
Investigators believe the recovered materials were being stockpiled for smuggling across the international border into Bangladesh. Police officials described the raid as a major breakthrough in efforts to curb cross-border trafficking and illegal activities in the sensitive border region.
Despite the successful seizure, the main accused managed to flee during the operation. Police have confirmed that strict legal action has been initiated against Buru Banik, and intensive efforts are underway to trace and arrest him at the earliest.
Local residents of Hazari Chowmuhani expressed relief following the raid, stating that the alleged activities of the accused had long created fear and uncertainty in the area. Police authorities said the operation marks a decisive step towards dismantling smuggling networks operating along the border and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining law and order in the region.
