IndiaIndia and Bangladeshand BangladeshBorder Conflict

Flag of IndiaFlag of India

NAME OF CONFLICT:India-Bangladesh

Border Conflict (2001) NAMES OF ENEMIES:

India and BangladeshDATES OF CONFLICT:

BEGAN: April 18, 2001ENDED: April 21, 2001TYPE OF CONFLICT:

Inter-State Border Conflict

Flag of Bangladesh

CAUSES AND DESCRIPTION OF CONFLICT:CAUSES AND DESCRIPTION OF CONFLICT:In 1971, India aided the people of Bangladesh (then

known as East Pakistan), gain independence from Pakistan. According to the Bangladesh government, ever since that military intervention, Indian forces have occupied a small sliver of land along their border near the village of Pyrdiwah. On April 18, 2001, troops of the Bangladeshi Rifles (border troops) occupied the disputed village. In the fighting that followed, 15 members of India's border forces, the Border Security Force (BSF) were killed, along with several of the attacking soldiers. Indian forces responded and retook the village. Between 10,000 and 20,000 villagers living in the area fled the fighting, with at least 17 suffering wounds. The combat remained limited to the border troops of the respective nations, though mortars were used in addition to automatic weapons fire. Several villages were destroyed or heavily damaged in the fighting.

CAUSES AND DESCRIPTION OF CONFLICT:CAUSES AND DESCRIPTION OF CONFLICT:Several of the Indian dead appeared to have

suffered brutal, non-combat deaths, which were blamed on mob violence perpetuated by Bangladesh civilians. The governments of both nations worked quickly to defuse the tension and end the fighting. Since the creation of Bangladesh, the neighbors have had largely cordial relations, though the BSR and Bangladeshi Rifles have exchanged fire in the past. Those incidents centered on Muhurichar Island further to the south. Conflicting claims to ownership of this river island provoked gunfire in 1975, 1979 and 1985. The violence in 2001 was by far the most serious in the history of Indian-Bangladeshi relations.

India and Bangladesh began border talks in March, 2002.

CONSEQUENCES OF CONFLICT:CONSEQUENCES OF CONFLICT:

Increased difficulties in relations and an

upsurge in Bangladeshi

nationalism and ill will toward India.

Fewer than two dozen Indian dead, with

smaller numbers of Bangladeshi casualties.

At least 17 Indian civilians were

wounded.

This was the first "serious" military conflict This was the first "serious" military conflict between India and Bangladesh since Bangali between India and Bangladesh since Bangali

independence.independence.