October 21, 2008	Tuesday	Shawwal 21, 1429

DHAKA, Oct 20: Bangladesh deported 11 suspected Indian insurgents between June and August in an effort to end cross-border attacks, a state-run news agency reported on Monday.

Bangladesh has revealed first time that it has handed over alleged terrorists to India despite no extradition treaty existing between the nations.

The agency said the revelation came “against the backdrop” of lengthy accusations by Indian authorities and media that Bangladesh harbours Indian separatists, claims that Dhaka has consistently denied.

“We have handed over 11 suspected insurgents in between June 12 and Aug 22 this year as part of our policy to fight against cross-border terrorism and crimes,” BSS news agency quoted an unnamed security official as saying.

The 11 bring to 120 the number of Indian “criminals and insurgents” arrested by Bangladesh since 2003 and sent back as part of Dhaka’s move to “build confidence” with New Delhi.

The official also said 10 “alleged operatives” of India’s outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) were killed in an encounter with elite anti-crime troops as they infiltrated into Bangladesh territory.

They did not give the exact date and place of the encounter.

India has erected a barbed wire fence along more than half of the 4,000-kilometre border between the two countries and wants to fence the entire border, which Bangladesh opposes.

India often accuses Bangladesh of pushing illegal migrants through the border and harbouring militants fighting Indian rule in its northeast. Dhaka says Delhi allows Bangladeshi criminals to take refuge on its soil. —AFP