West Bengal border areas on alert

Malda (West Bengal), Aug 11 (PTI) An "operational alert"
has been sounded by Border Security Force(BSF) in Malda and
South Dinajpur districts in India's eastern state of West
Bengal bordering Bangladesh in stepped up security measures in
the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations in the state.

The five battalions in the the 300 km international
border have been doubled during the period of alert which came
into force Monday and would remain in force till August 17,
acting DIG (BSF) B K Jha said.

Thirty per cent of the border comprised unfenced riverine
and lowlands.

"Special watch has been kept on the unfenced areas," Jha
said. PTI CORR