Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 05
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir deported 150 Bangladeshi nationals on Monday after identifying them as illegally staying in the Union Territory, officials said.
The group was flown from Srinagar to Bagdogra in West Bengal on an Indian Air Force aircraft and handed over to Border Security Force personnel for onward processing towards the India-Bangladesh border.
Officials said another batch of 150 Bangladeshi nationals is scheduled to be deported on Oct. 7.
The deportations are part of an ongoing verification exercise aimed at identifying foreign nationals without a lawful basis to remain in J&K.
Authorities have identified 624 Bangladeshi nationals in areas covered by the Kashmir division, according to the latest district-wise compilation.
The figures include 115 in Srinagar, 218 in Budgam, 221 in Pulwama, 19 in Kulgam, 25 in Shopian and 26 in Police District Awantipora. Anantnag’s figure, after adjustment, stands at zero.
Authorities have so far deported 150 people, while further removals are expected after completion of legal and administrative procedures.
District-wise figures presented to a high-level committee during its visit to Jammu on Aug. 10 had put the number of Bangladeshi nationals identified across J&K at 504, alongside 7,656 Rohingyas.
Of those Bangladeshis, 458 were reported from Kashmir and 46 from Jammu at the time.
The latest compilation indicates that the number identified in Kashmir has since risen as the verification exercise continued.
District senior superintendents of police and the SSP CID in Jammu and Srinagar have been functioning as Foreigners Registration Officers for initiating action under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Deportation Manual, 2025.
Officials have said there is no official record of the government settling the foreign nationals and alleged that many entered or established settlements through private networks and unauthorised means.
Authorities have also acted against temporary shelters and makeshift structures linked to alleged unauthorised settlements, particularly in Jammu, after issuing notices to private landowners.
The October 5 and October 7 deportations would together involve 300 people. Officials have not clarified whether all of them are included in the earlier figure of 504 or whether subsequent verification has added to the list.
Authorities are expected to continue deportations in phases, subject to identification, verification and completion of statutory procedures.
