2001 Bangladesh–India border skirmishes

BelligerentsBangladeshIndiaCommanders and leadersA. L. M. Fazlur RahmanGurbachan Singh JagatUnits involvedBangladesh RiflesBorder Security ForceStrength 700–1,000 troops 300+ troopsCasualties and losses 24 civilians injured
around 10,000 civilians temporarily displaced

In April 2001, Bangladesh and India engaged in a series of armed clashes along the international border between the two countries. The clashes took place between troops of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on the poorly-marked border.

The clashes began on 16 April 2001, when a force of around 800 to a 1000 Bangladeshi Paramilitary soldiers attacked and captured Padua/Pyrdiwah village, breaking the status quo and forcing the civilians there to flee. Bangladesh claimed that the village had been illegally occupied by India since Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971. The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) post in Padua/Pyrdiwah village was encircled, trapping 31 BSF troops within. However, both sides held their fire and began negotiations. Over the course of the following days, about three BSF companies proceeded to reinforce the outpost. This incident was resolved later without any bloodshed.

Following this standoff, Indian BSF paramilitary troops along the border were put on high alert and ordered to begin intensive patrolling. A few days later, a small contingent of 300 BSF troops entered Bangladeshi territory of Kurigram near the village of Boraibari, more than 200 km to the west of Padua/Pyrdiwah, The intrusion was deemed as a "counter-attack" by India to retaliate after the earlier incident in Padua. Immediately upon entering Bangladeshi territory, the BSF paramilitary company was ambushed by Bangladeshi border guards and the attack on BDR outposts in Boraibari was repulsed. Following their capture, the bodies of the Indian soldiers were returned to India on 20 April.

The clashes finally ended on 21 April 2001, after both sides agreed to a ceasefire. Later on, respective governments also engaged in bilateral negotiations and normalized their relations. The clashes left a total of 21 people dead, including 16 Indian soldiers and three Bangladeshi border guards. The clashes resulted in the rise of nationalism in Bangladesh and are continue to be celebrated today. It was the first major military confrontation between the two nations since 1971.