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Bangladesh closely observes the evolving situation in Indo-Pak conflict, Dhaka said Wednesday in an instant reaction after Indian missile strikes inside Pakistan that retaliated in a warlike situation.
Meanwhile, the country tightened border security following incidents and attempts of pushback of Bengali-speaking people from the Indian side.
India's Border Security Force (BSF) reportedly pushed 66 Indian nationals into Bangladesh on Wednesday morning, labelling them as Bangladeshis.
According to BGB sources, BSF pushed 27 people into Bangladesh through the Shantipur border and another 15 through Achalong Para of Taindong Union.
Besides, 24 people were pushed in through the Joysenpara border of Panchhari upazila.
Khagrachhari's acting Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana said 66 Indian nationals, including women and children, have crossed the border through the Matiranga and Panchhari upazilas as of the latest reports.
"Bangladesh expresses its deep concern over the situation, and urges both the countries to remain calm, show restraint and refrain from taking any step that could further aggravate the situation," said the ministry of foreign affairs in Dhaka in a statement.
National Security Adviser under the interim government Md Khalilur Rahman read out the foreign ministry's statement, as the latest conflict between the two nuclear-armed rival neighbours alarmed the world.
"In the spirit of regional peace, prosperity and stability, Bangladesh remains hopeful that tensions will be defused through diplomatic endeavours, and that peace will ultimately prevail to the benefit of the peoples in the region," the readout says.
An international media report mentions that Islamabad claimed it had shot down five Indian military jets in response to the assault it claims killed 26 people. Casualties on the Indian side were claimed to be 15 dead.
Responding to a question, the national security adviser, Mr Khalilur Rahman, said Bangladesh won't accept unilateral pushback of people by India into Bangladesh.
"We will scrutinise each case individually, and if we find that they are truly the citizens of Bangladesh, we will take them back," he said in response to a question on the recent incidents of arrest of Bengali-speaking people in different states of India.
And this has to be through official and formal channel, he pointed out."We are maintaining communications with Indian government on this issue," he said.
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