Sun Feb 09 08:59:32 UTC 2025: ## Suspicious Radio Signals Spark Security Concerns Along India-Bangladesh Border
**Kolkata, February 9, 2025** – Amateur ham radio operators in West Bengal have intercepted coded radio transmissions in Bengali, Urdu, and Arabic along the India-Bangladesh border, raising concerns about potential extremist activity. The signals, detected between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. over the past two months, have been reported to the Ministry of Communications and are under investigation by security agencies.
Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary of the West Bengal Radio Club, stated that the transmissions, often featuring a Bangladeshi accent in the Bengali portions, ceased when operators attempted to identify themselves. This unusual behavior, coupled with the use of code, has raised red flags. Similar incidents occurred in 2002-03 and 2016, leading to arrests of extremists in previous instances. Biswas also noted a correlation between suspicious signals and prior communal clashes in Basirhat in 2017.
The signals’ detection comes amidst heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and subsequent unrest, including concerns over attacks on minority groups. A senior Border Security Force (BSF) official acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, noting that smugglers and extremist groups often utilize unconventional communication methods like ham radio to avoid detection.
The Ministry of Communications has forwarded the matter to the International Monitoring Station (Radio) in Kolkata for further analysis. Security agencies are actively investigating the origin and content of the transmissions. While authorities remain tight-lipped on specific details, the incident underscores the ongoing security challenges along the porous India-Bangladesh border. Ham radio operators, typically involved in disaster relief and communication in remote areas, are playing a crucial role in monitoring the situation.
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